CIH NI responds to Department for Communities' Supporting People funding announcement

In response to today’s announcement from the Department for Communities regarding the allocation of an additional £3 million for the Supporting People programme, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Northern Ireland issues the following statement:

"We welcome the news of the £3 million funding boost for the Supporting People programme as announced by Minister Gordon Lyons," said Justin Cartwright, national director at CIH Northern Ireland. "This additional funding is indeed a positive step forward in addressing the pressing need for increased support within our communities. We appreciate Minister Lyons' recognition of the importance of this programme in improving the quality of life for vulnerable individuals."

The Supporting People programme plays a vital role in providing essential housing-related services to a diverse range of individuals, including those with disabilities, mental health challenges, older adults, young people, and those facing homelessness. The additional funding will help to sustain and enhance the services delivered by Supporting People providers across Northern Ireland.

"It's heartening to see the Minister prioritising this issue early in his tenure and taking concrete steps to address the lack of inflationary uplifts within the Supporting People programme," Justin added. “However, we remain concerned about the potential impact of ongoing budgetary constraints on essential support services. While this funding injection is certainly a step in the right direction, it's crucial that we continue to advocate for sustained investment in programmes like Supporting People."