Belfast homeless charity’s visual stunt at Stormont highlighting sofa surfing in NI
A Belfast based homelessness charity has placed a visual stunt outside Stormont to raise awareness of the growing number of people forced to sofa surf or stay in temporary accommodation across Northern Ireland.
The Simon Community used the stunt to launch their 2024 One Big Sleep out, which will take place on Friday, October 11.
The stunt placed features a sofa dressed as if someone had just slept on it, which was placed at the bottom of Stormont’s steps to symbolise the thousands of people who are currently homeless throughout Northern Ireland.
Read more: Belfast homeless charity releases album to raise funds and awareness
Read more: Homeless families campaigning to bring 500 affordable homes to derelict area
In Northern Ireland, there are currently 55,500 people officially classified as homeless, which is one in every 34 people. Additionally, we have record high numbers on the social housing waiting list, with 86,000 people currently waiting for a social home.
For their One Big Sleep out, the Simon Community are encouraging people to sign up and 'sleep out' at Stormont overnight to help raise vital funds and awareness. By participating, attendees will highlight the reality behind the growing homelessness crisis, including the rise in sofa surfers—people forced to rely on friends or family for temporary shelter due to a lack of affordable and available homes.
Jim Dennison, Chief Executive of Simon Community, said: "Homelessness is a growing issue in Northern Ireland, and we all have a role to play in addressing it.
"Most people’s idea of homelessness is someone sleeping on the streets. Rough sleeping is homelessness at its most visible but, in Northern Ireland, it doesn’t often look like this. Instead we see many more people who are forced to sofa surf, live for long periods in hostels or B&Bs, or sleep in their cars.
"By joining the One Big Sleep Out, you’re not just raising money – you’re showing that homelessness is unacceptable and that together, we can make a difference."
Participants are encouraged to raise funds before the event, with all money going directly to Simon Community services, which include emergency accommodation, homelessness prevention, and support programmes to help people rebuild their lives.
For more information, to sign up, or to donate, visit www.simoncommunity.org
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.