Homelessness services face rising demand in Northern Ireland and Victoria

In Northern Ireland, politicians are advocating for the Housing (Amendment) Bill to extend the period in which individuals at risk of homelessness can access support. Currently, assistance is generally available only when a person is within 28 days of becoming homeless. Sinn Féin politician Ciara Ferguson argued that this timeframe is insufficient for families to find alternative accommodation, particularly for private renters who may receive notice from landlords but cannot access Housing Executive support until the 28-day window begins.

In Victoria, Australia, homelessness services have warned that a new $27.8 million assertive outreach program may increase demand for already overstretched resources. The statewide expansion of the “by-name” program aims to send workers into streets to profile and connect rough sleepers with support services. While the Council to Homeless Persons described the outreach as a vital lifeline, its chief executive, Deborah Di Natale, noted that crisis accommodation centers are frequently full by midday and emphasized that the most significant solution remains a commitment to building more social housing.