To ask the Minister for Communities what actions her Department is taking to address the number of homeless children; and whether the Housing Executive homelessness strategy due to end in 2022 is currently being reviewed and a new plan developed.

The Housing Executive’s approach to assisting those families, including children, who are homeless or threatened with homeless is outlined in the Homelessness Strategy 2017-22: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/Documents/Homelessness/homelessness-strategy-northern-ireland-2017-2022.aspx?ext=

The Strategy outlines how, in order to prevent homelessness, Housing Executive staff will provide person centred services which are tailored to meet the needs of individual families, including any children, and support them to achieve sustainable housing solutions.

The Housing Executive will publish a new Homelessness Strategy by April 2022. Subject to Housing Executive Board approval, a public consultation on the draft Homelessness Strategy 2022-27 will commence by November 2021.

It should be noted that in cases where individuals are under 18 and present as homeless, the primary responsibility remains with the local Heath Trust under the Children (NI) Order 1995.