03/12/2025
Ministers Launch Programme To Tackle Homelessness Among Care Leavers
Housing Minister Gordon Lyons and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt have jointly announced a new collaborative programme, New Foundations, designed to support young people leaving care and actively work to prevent them from becoming homeless.
The New Foundations programme establishes a holistic approach, offering both practical support and personal guidance for young people as they transition out of the care system. A key component is a housing-led pilot which will provide 'Housing First' accommodation to young care leavers, explicitly aiming to prevent their homelessness.
Minister Lyons reinforced his commitment to homelessness prevention, noting that around 140 young people who recently age out of care present as homeless every year.
"This ambitious programme aims to provide these young people not just with a place to live, but a tailored support package which will give them the confidence to continue with their education or forge ahead in their career," Minister Lyons said.
The programme aims to embed permanent systems change across government, driving collaboration between statutory agencies—including health trusts and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive—to meet their 'Corporate Parenting' role to young people.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt emphasised the importance of the wraparound support provided by the Health and Social Care Trusts:
"A safe home is only the beginning. What truly makes the difference for care leavers is the wraparound support... It equips young people with the tools and confidence they need to succeed in independence. It means learning essential life skills like budgeting, cooking, managing bills and maintaining a tenancy."
Grainia Long, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, welcomed the cross-departmental commitment, stating that New Foundations provides a vision where every young person leaving care has a clear, supported pathway to independence.
The New Foundations programme establishes a holistic approach, offering both practical support and personal guidance for young people as they transition out of the care system. A key component is a housing-led pilot which will provide 'Housing First' accommodation to young care leavers, explicitly aiming to prevent their homelessness.
Minister Lyons reinforced his commitment to homelessness prevention, noting that around 140 young people who recently age out of care present as homeless every year.
The programme aims to embed permanent systems change across government, driving collaboration between statutory agencies—including health trusts and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive—to meet their 'Corporate Parenting' role to young people.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt emphasised the importance of the wraparound support provided by the Health and Social Care Trusts:
"A safe home is only the beginning. What truly makes the difference for care leavers is the wraparound support... It equips young people with the tools and confidence they need to succeed in independence. It means learning essential life skills like budgeting, cooking, managing bills and maintaining a tenancy."
Grainia Long, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, welcomed the cross-departmental commitment, stating that New Foundations provides a vision where every young person leaving care has a clear, supported pathway to independence.
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