Simon Community NI is the largest homelessness charity in Northern Ireland, providing support services for over 3,000 individuals each year. The facility on Saintfield Road is one of many across the region offering a safe space and a pathway out of homelessness.

During her visit, Ms. Armstrong was given a tour of the facility and had the opportunity to meet with staff, as well as individuals with lived experience of homelessness.

The Strangford MLA has said: "The work done by the Simon Community is vital in terms of supporting vulnerable individuals in our society, providing services such as emergency accommodation, counselling, and assistance with finding long-term housing solutions.

“I was incredibly fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to meet Bill, who is being supported by the Simon Community. His account of the challenges he’s faced in accessing secure housing, mental health support, and negotiating the benefits system was eye-opening.

“It was an invaluable experience, providing a real insight into how their processes actually work, the hurdles both the organisation and service users are facing, but also the sheer value of what they do to help people in need of it.

“No one should be left without a safe place to call home, and this visit has only strengthened my commitment to advocating for additional resources and support for homelessness services.”