Belfast homeless and housing assistance services

Individuals that reside in Belfast that are homeless or that are likely to be evicted in a matter of days can get help from a number of support services. The city has information on the Housing Executive Homeless Support Unit, they partner with charities such as Simon Community, and operate shelters. A number of other housing programmes are available in addition to those.

The Housing Executive Unit is the first place to contact for help. They will assist people with an eviction notice or that are currently homeless. Priority is for households with children or a vulnerable member. They also need to be facing homeless through no fault of their own, so the assistance is for dealing with emergencies. Call the unit at 03448 920 900. If not eligible for assistance, the client will be given a list of hostels and shelters available in the city of Belfast.

Belfast also partners with the Simon Community of Northern Ireland. This charity can be reached at 0800 171 2222. Advisers can explore rent and housing benefits or help a family find accommodations. One key service is their Homelessness Prevention Programme which can stop an eviction from occurring, and find how Simon Community in northern Ireland can assist.

For those people that need advice on to find out about their rights, the Housing Rights Service may be able to help. Caseworkers can provide information on eviction rights and other laws. Telephone 028 9024 5640.

Citizens Advice Bureaus are located across Belfast. Individuals can also get help with preventing homelessness or applying for housing benefits. The agency can help with various problems, or they may direct people to an independent advice agency.

Edward Street Hostel provides floating support in northern Ireland. There is housing for the youth as well as ex-offenders. Not only may they be given accommodations, but the agency will also provide them assistance in applying for rent in advance schemes as well as offer practical support for their new flat. Find details on housing from Edward Street Hostel.

The Housing Benefit is a programme that vulnerable individuals can look into. It can offer help for rent arrears and other support services to tenants in Belfast. The Housing Executive Homeless Support Unit can provide information on this or help people apply. While more information is below, enquiries can also be made on 03448 920 902.

Low income families can get help with paying their rent from the Housing Benefit. This was created as a form of social security benefit for individuals in Belfast and throughout the UK. It is a possibility for anyone that rents their home, and it is not restricted based on the type of landlord someone has. The benefit can even be issued to those that live in a hostel or boarders.

There are various conditions set by the Homeless Support Unit, and they need to apply in order for someone to be qualified for rent help. The tenant that lives in Belfast needs to be responsible for paying the electricity or rental rates. Income limits are in place too, and those will be compared as part of the Housing Benefit application process. However, there are can always be some limited exceptions made in an emergency. The best way to determine if someone is eligible is to call a centre and apply. This will allow the advisers to consider all circumstances.

A social housing scheme as provided by St. Vincent de Paul. The charity has hundreds of flats in the city of Belfast for the homeless or low income. The charity can also help people move into other homes or hostels in Northern Ireland. An aim is to offer housing assistance to individuals that have been evicted, and read more St. Vincent assistance programmes.

Discretionary payments are another form of housing assistance. They are an option for tenants who rent a flat in the private sector. What this will do is it pays the difference between the benefits used by the Homeless Unit and the rent charged by a landlord to work out their entitlement. If there is a difference, that is known as a shortfall, and the programme may pay a portion of that difference.

To apply or learn more about the discretionary housing payment, contact the Housing Executive office that is near you in Belfast. They will provide an application to the programme. While the city will consider all applications, priority is for those that are most in need.

All money paid out is limited. The funds come from the DSD. Therefore if a discretionary housing payment is provided to a tenant, it will usually be for a short period of time, such as 6 months. This will provide the tenant the ability to gain stability on their housing situation, as they do need to regain independence.

There are several locations of the Housing Executive Homeless Support Unit. The main telephone is 3448 920 902. Other centres are below. The organisation may also offer home improvement grants to private tenants, advice, and other support services

• East Belfast District Office, 32-36 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7BA, Telephone number is 03448 920 900.
• Belfast Grants Office, Laganview House, and the address is 95 Ann Street. Telephone number 03448 920900.
• Belfast (Shankill) District Office, The Shankill Wellbeing Centre, 83 Shankill Road
  BT13 1PD. Ring the centre at 03448 920 900.
• Castlereagh District Office, 30 Church Road, Dundonald, BT16 2LN, Tel: 03448 920 900.
• Newtownabbey 1 District Office is located at Rantalard House, Rathcoole Drive, Newtownabbey, BT37 9AG, phone 03448 920 900.
• Newtownabbey 2 District Office, 2 Ballyearl Drive, New Mossley, Newtownabbey, BT36 5XJ, telephone 03448 920 900.