The Northern Ireland Assembly's Public Accounts Committee released a report on homelessness services after an inquiry that started in October 2025. The review examined value for money and effectiveness amid growing pressures on temporary housing.

Spending by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on temporary accommodation climbed to more than £40 million in the 2024/25 financial year, with £17 million allocated to non-standard hotels and bed and breakfasts. This marked an increase from £7.6 million in 2018/19. Overall gross expenditure on homelessness services totalled £75 million in 2024/25, up £26 million from three years earlier. Nearly 8% of households remained in temporary accommodation for five years or longer.

Around 62,000 people from 32,000 homeless households appeared on the social housing waiting list by late 2025, including 19,657 people under 18. Full Duty Applicant households grew 135% over the past decade. Main causes included unreasonable living conditions at 22.7%, relationship breakdowns at 21.6%, and loss of tenancies at 14.6%.

Committee chair Daniel McCrossan MLA pointed to reactive prevention efforts and insufficient social housing supply as factors worsening the situation. The group urged development of a unified strategy between the Department for Communities and Housing Executive, plus better data tracking individuals affected. It recommended proposals for a statutory prevention duty within 12 months.

The Housing Executive aims to buy 600 properties for temporary use and noted lower hotel reliance compared to other UK areas, with most placements in private rentals. The Department allocated £2.5 million for prevention work, £3 million for the New Foundations Project aiding care leavers, and £10 million for the LAMA scheme to support hostel transitions.

Curtis DuRose has resided in a Simon Community hostel in Bangor since December. Jim Dennison of Simon Community called for funding to align with demand. Nicola McCrudden of Homeless Connect sought sustained financing. David Carroll of Depaul backed using some purchased homes for housing-first approaches targeting rough sleepers.