A coalition of voluntary and charitable organisations has called on the Housing Executive to maintain funding to providers of a housing support programme that helps vulnerable people in Fermanagh.
Each year, the Supporting People (SP) programme assists people to live independently and avoid problems that can result in hospitalisation, institutional care or homelessness. More than £74 million worth of services are delivered across Northern Ireland through 100 SP providers.
Earlier this year, NIHE implemented a five per cent funding reduction across accommodation-based SP schemes, putting the viability of many schemes at risk. In recent weeks, the Department for Communities gave NIHE a one-off non-recurrent £2.6million allocation to the programme, however there is uncertainty over how the funding can be drawn down and fears that monies received will be cut again in April 2018.
Ricky Rowledge, co-Chair of Committee Representing Independent Supporting People Providers (CRISPP) said: “While any reprieve is welcomed, this is a partial and temporary in-year reinstatement that does not cover the full scale of the budget reduction and service providers will again be facing a five percent budget reduction in six months’ time. Organisations cannot start to reintroduce or replace services and staff that have impacted by the cut in April.
“We are urging the Housing Executive to maintain full funding for 2018 for Fermanagh. 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.”
Brendan Morrissey, Supported Living Manager at Clanmil Housing, which operates Barbour Court in Enniskillen, said: “Supporting People has been an immense success for Enniskillen, 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.” Campaigners say 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 quality of life will result in a cost burden on other public spending.
Ben Collins, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations said:
“This short term saving will have a profound and expensive long-term legacy in Fermanagh. Services cannot be sustained at the standard required and there is a very real danger that those in most need will not receive adequate support or may lose out entirely. We are calling for NIHE to reinstate the funding immediately to all providers and work in partnership with us to agree a sensible reform and strategy for Supporting People.”
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.