Lyons to drive once-in-a-generation system change on homelessness

Lyons to drive once-in-a-generation system change on homelessness

Date published: 16 September 2026

Speaking at a Housing Rights event in Parliament Buildings, the Minister highlighted plans to reset Northern Ireland's approach to tackling homelessness, placing prevention at the heart of the system and improving outcomes for those at risk.

As part of a once-in-a-generation reform, the shift from crisis response to prevention and early intervention will be supported by a new Homelessness Commission for Northern Ireland.

Minister Lyons said:

"I am committed to bringing about a comprehensive and meaningful system change so that, working together, we can make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.

"I intend to shortly bring forward to the Executive plans for the establishment of a Homelessness Commission for Northern Ireland.

"Independent, expert panels will carry out comprehensive reviews of our homelessness legislative framework and the operational and institutional changes required to transform how we prevent and respond to homelessness. The commission will also draw on the experiences of those who have lived through homelessness, with a firm focus on prevention and early intervention."

The Minister said that the new Homelessness Commission for Northern Ireland would help drive meaningful change, preventing homelessness wherever possible.

Minister Lyons added:

"I am determined to deliver a lasting shift in how we address homelessness and rough sleeping, moving away from reacting to crisis and towards preventing it from happening in the first place.

"By harnessing expertise from across the sector, and working on a cross-government basis, we can help shape a system that delivers earlier support, better outcomes and greater stability when people are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness."

During his time in office, Minister Lyons has demonstrated his commitment to tackling homelessness through a number of significant investments, including:

• The ringfencing of an additional £2.5million for Strategic Homelessness Prevention in 2025/26, with a commitment for further ringfenced funding in 2026/27.
• The allocation of more than £9million to the New Foundations Project, helping to ensure care-leavers do not become homeless.
• The provision of £10million for the Loan to Acquire Move-on Accommodation (LAMA) Scheme, enabling homelessness organisations to purchase homes for people currently living in hostels.
• An increase in funding to the Supporting People programme, from £72.8million a year to c. £84million in 2025/26, protecting ongoing investment in homelessness services.