Awareness event on homelessness

Awareness event on homelessness

18 December 2024

CHARITIES and organisations supporting homeless people joined the Housing Executive at a special pop-up event in Downpatrick as part of this year’s Homelessness Awareness Week.

Providing an opportunity for local people to access crucial information on housing support services that are available to people experiencing housing insecurity, the event organised by the Housing Executive was held at St Patrick’s Square.

A number of organisations and charities hosted stalls at the event, including Extern, MACS, Simon Community, Lisburn Women’s Aid and the Downpatrick charity Life Change Changes Lives (LCCL).

Claire Crainey, the Housing Executive’s Area Manager for South Down, said: “We were really pleased to see so many people attend our event in Downpatrick.

“They were warmly welcomed by our staff and partners at the South Down Homelessness Local Area Group, who were on hand throughout the day and did a great job offering help and advice about homelessness or associated issues.

“We were joined by expert staff from a number of local organisations and charities who allowed this to happen by offering face to face support on a wide range of issues.”

She continued: “Working in partnership with these organisations was essential in making the pop up event a success and I’d like to thank them for their help.

“In Downpatrick and the surrounding council area, we’ve seen firsthand the complex challenges faced by individuals at risk of homelessness.

Claire added: “By bringing the services of everyone involved in our South Down Local Area Homeless Group directly to the community, we are demonstrating that we all believe in providing a compassionate approach to supporting people that are worried about homelessness.”