Write a commentA coalition of voluntary and charitable organisations has called on the Housing Executive to safeguard funding to providers of a housing support programme that helps a wide range of vulnerable people in Newry.
Beneficiaries of the Supporting People (SP) programme include frail older people, homeless people, and people with learning difficulties and mental health issues. The call to action followed a special roadshow event at Alpha Housing’s Mc Manus Court and was organised as part of a Northern Ireland wide campaign to raise awareness of SP.
SP services help people to live independently and avoid problems that can result in hospitalisation, institutional care or homelessness. Annual Supporting People funding of £5.96 million provides 66 housing support services across the Newry area.
Earlier this year, the Housing Executive implemented a five percent funding reduction for accommodation-based SP services, putting the viability of many schemes at risk. In recent weeks, the Department for Communities gave NIHE a one-off top-up payment of £2.6million to reverse the funding cut in the short-term. However, there is uncertainty over whether and how this funding will reach providers, who are being told that the 5% cut may well be imposed again in April 2018, just a few months away.
Cameron Watt from Alpha Housing, which operates McManus Court in Newry, said “Supporting People has been an immense success for Newry, enabling thousands of people to sustain their accommodation and live with as much independence as possible. However, increasing costs and reductions in annual funding are impacting on the long-term quality and viability of many services. The quality of life for thousands of vulnerable people depends on this programme and it must be properly resourced to remain effective and continue delivering strongly.”
Ricky Rowledge, co-Chair of Committee Representing Independent Supporting People Providers (CRISPP) expressed concerns about service providers facing a five percent budget reduction in six months’ time.
Independent research has shown that every £1 spent in Supporting People schemes saves £1.90 for other public services. The loss of funding will not just affect the quality of life for more than 20,000 people it will result in a greater cost burden on other public spending.
Ben Collins, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations said “We are urging the Housing Executive to maintain full funding for 2018 for Supporting People. We are up for reform and want to work in partnership with the Housing Executive and Department for Communities to deliver a strategic remodelling of the programme.”
More than 100 organisations are affected by the cuts to the Supporting People programme including: Alpha Housing (NI) Limited, Apex Housing Association, Barnardos, Clanmil Housing, Depaul Northern Ireland, East Belfast Mission, Extern Northern Ireland, Inspire Wellbeing, Leonard Cheshire Disability, MACS Supporting Young People, Mencap, Shelter (NI) Ltd., Simon Community, First Housing and Women's Aid.
To find out more about Supporting People visit http://www.chni.org.uk/keeponsp.html
