Transforming Prevention Together

Housing Rights is pleased to be hosting ‘Transforming Prevention Together: Improving Lives and Making the Best Use of Resources’, a special event exploring how Northern Ireland can strengthen its approach to preventing homelessness. 

Taking place on Monday 14 September 2026 in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, this event will bring together policymakers, public service leaders, academics, practitioners and people with lived experience to explore how a stronger focus on prevention can improve lives and make better use of public resources.

Why Prevention Matters 

Homelessness continues to place significant pressure on people, families and public resources across Northern Ireland. This event will explore the opportunities for earlier intervention and prevention, drawing on new evidence, frontline insight and practical learning from elsewhere in the UK.                           

New Research on the Cost of Homelessness 

The event will focus on two closely connected areas of work that can help transform homelessness prevention in Northern Ireland. 

First, Housing Rights will launch new research examining the financial cost of homelessness and the savings that can be achieved through earlier intervention and prevention. Undertaken by research consultants, Fiona Boyle Associates and Oonagh Thompson, the research provides fresh evidence on the economic impact of homelessness across Northern Ireland. Importantly, it also examines the cost of alternative prevention pathways that successfully avoid homelessness. By comparing homelessness journeys with earlier intervention approaches, the research demonstrates the significant social and financial benefits that can be achieved when people receive support before reaching crisis point. 

Strengthening Homelessness Prevention Legislation 

The second part of the event will explore what stronger homelessness prevention legislation could look like in Northern Ireland, including the potential introduction of a statutory duty to prevent homelessness.  

This discussion builds on a Housing Rights discussion paper produced to inform discourse following the Northern Ireland Assembly Public Accounts Committee's recommendation that the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive explore options to strengthen homelessness prevention by introducing a statutory duty.  

Drawing on frontline experience, policy analysis, and learning from reforms introduced elsewhere in the UK, the paper identifies key issues that will require careful consideration as proposals are developed for Northern Ireland. 

To help inform this discussion, Housing Rights is delighted to welcome Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick, who chaired the expert review processes that informed homelessness prevention reforms in both Scotland and Wales. Professor Fitzpatrick will share her experience of developing prevention-focused approaches and highlight lessons that may be relevant as Northern Ireland considers its own future direction. 

Panel Discussions 

The event will also include two panel discussions featuring colleagues from across the housing and homelessness sector, representatives from public services, and people with lived experience of homelessness. Together, speakers will explore both the evidence for prevention and the practical steps required to deliver meaningful reform. 

Event Details 

Transforming Prevention Together: Improving Lives and Making the Best Use of Resources 
Sponsored by Kellie Armstrong MLA 

• Date: Monday 14 September 2026 
• Time: 1.00pm – 3.30pm 
• Venue: Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings 

Lunch and refreshments will be available from 1.00pm. 

Register Your Interest 

As Northern Ireland considers how best to prevent homelessness and improve outcomes for individuals and communities, this event offers an important opportunity to explore the evidence, share learning and discuss the practical changes needed to deliver lasting impact. 

Please note places are limited and advance registration is required. To register your interest, please email eventsni @connectpa.co.uk.