To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the preparations being put in place to invest in appropriate measures to provide accommodation for people who are homeless before winter 2025-26.

This issue is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:

“The Housing Executive will continue to meet its statutory duties under the Housing (NI) Order 1988. Anyone who is statutorily homeless will be provided with temporary accommodation. The Housing Executive is regularly engaging with a range of partners to expand its portfolio of temporary accommodation.

The Housing Executive also engages with partners to deliver the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). The SWEP ensures availability of accommodation to individuals sleeping rough when there is an increased risk of death due to the weather e.g. temperatures fall near or below freezing. The Housing Executive monitors weather conditions as part of SWEP arrangements and upon the requirement for a SWEP, will engage with providers to deliver additional provision via options such as crash beds.”