To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for her assessment of the number of older people currently presenting and being accepted as homeless; and (ii) to detail what specific support exists for older people who find themselves homeless.

I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, who has advised me as follows:

“The table below outlines the number of presentations and acceptances from households within the pensioner household category.

Any household who presents as homeless to the Housing Executive will be provided with support and assistance through Housing Solutions and Support Teams. This will include the identification of any support needs and subsequent engagement with other localised services to provide, as far as possible, wrap around support. This support can include floating support to prevent homelessness or temporary accommodation in cases where emergency accommodation is required.

Floating Support is delivered on a short-term basis into the home and can prevent older people becoming homeless by resolving a housing crisis or ensuring one doesn’t develop. For those who are seeking to move or find accommodation, floating support can also assist with applications, taking on a new tenancy and support with move in and setting up a new home.

Peripatetic Support, delivered on a long-term basis, provides help and assistance to older people to enable them to continue to live independently in their own home for as long as possible.

If an older person has a low-level support need, then they can also apply for Sheltered/Continued Independent Living Accommodation.

Sheltered/Continued Independent Living Accommodation usually includes a group of flats or bungalows, specially built and designed for older people, with support provided on site by a scheme coordinator during weekday office hours.”