This report sets out the context of homelessness in Northern Ireland, as well as our findings on:

• spending on temporary accommodation in Northern Ireland;
• people experiencing homelessness entering temporary accommodation in Northern Ireland;
• the experience of living in temporary accommodation in Northern Ireland; and
• moving on from temporary accommodation, and homelessness prevention

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Recommendations: in-brief

Make the greatest possible use of all data and ensure that it has all the cost and effectiveness information, with a particular focus on rent collection.

Assess the needs of all individuals experiencing homelessness as soon as they enter temporary accommodation. The Housing Executive should also take wider strategic learning from this about the reasons why people are experiencing homelessness.

Examine how to make best use of temporary accommodation options and ensure each placement is suitable for the individual’s needs.

Establish the prevention work that is currently undertaken, what would be logical to focus on, and consider how this could be enhanced with frontline budgets.

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