When Childhood Trauma Meets a Housing Crisis.

Last week I attended an event at Stormont where new research from Simon Community Northern Ireland was presented. As founder of Digg Deep For Kids, our charity has supported Simon Community for years, so I went to listen, learn, and bring the message back to our community and board.

The theme was clear and uncomfortable in the best way: exposure to trauma in childhood echoes into adult life. When systems don’t catch you, homelessness is too often where you land. And yet, time and again, speakers reminded us that homelessness is not inevitable.

What the research shows

Karen McAlister presented the findings with compassion and clarity. The numbers prove that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as parental separation or death, emotional neglect, physical or sexual abuse, and exposure to violence are deeply linked to homelessness. You can read some of the findings here.

The current picture in Northern Ireland

Five thousand children are living in temporary accommodation right now. One in 31 people in Northern Ireland are experiencing homelessness. Nineteen thousand four hundred and twenty people were officially homeless in June 2025.

At Simon Community, the average stay is 252 days because people need wraparound support as well as a bed. We cannot keep responding at crisis point. The trajectories are reinforced over time. It is rarely one event, but an ongoing struggle for stability.

One image from Karen McAlister’s presentation stayed with me: musical chairs. She said, “There are never enough chairs.” Housing is scarcer, and when the music stops, the most vulnerable are left standing. For those facing the deepest exclusion, the housing system does not have enough space or the right kind of space. Homelessness is not about personal failure. It is about a shortage of homes, under-resourced mental health services, and fragmented support that asks people to be stable before they can access the very help that would create stability.

Human stories

Two voices grounded the day. Stuart entered a Simon Community hostel and did not leave his room for weeks. He spoke about grief, isolation, and hope. Laoise, who joined the Simon Community in Newry in 2024, spoke for women and families. Homelessness is not hush hush. Silence isolates. We must name it and take away the shame.

What needs to change

This part is always the hardest, how can we actually help? Simon Community Northern Ireland and political representatives spoke about prevention, not just crisis response: identifying ACEs early, stabilising families, and diverting young people from exclusionary paths.

Homes first, with more social and affordable housing, and Housing First models for those with complex needs. Wraparound support, where accommodation comes with mental health care, learning disability support, addiction services, and employment pathways all grounded in trauma-informed practice.

A whole-government approach, where every department has a role: Health, Education, Justice, Communities, Economy, and Infrastructure. And a generational plan, not a one-year pilot. A ten to fifteen-year plan to end homelessness that is resourced, measured, and held to account.

Where Digg Deep For Kids fits in

Over the years we have tried to do work with the Simon Community which goes much deeper than a gift at Christmas. Yes this is important, and we do provides gifts but we always want to create lasting impact.

Over the years we have bought defibrillators for all the hostels, installed WIFI in the Armagh Shelter, upgraded the outdoor space in the family shelter and contributed towards a deposit for a house. We have heated thousands of homes helping to prevent homelessness.

Our Digg Deep For Kids campaign 2025 will continue to support Simon Community Northern Ireland. We will meet with the Simon Community team over the next few weeks and see where the best place is to spend the money raised through our fundraising. 

If you want to help us to raise money to help almost 20,000 people who are homeless and those who are threatening homelessness then please get in touch. All profits from the fundraising through Digg Deep For Kids are spent right here in Northern Ireland to get what our charities need. We are a very visible campaign - using social media to highlight the level of need, showcase the fundraising and the businesses who support us. Together we can help those in need. 

This year the charities we will help are: 

Simon Community Northern Ireland 

Cash for Kids Northern Ireland 

Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland

Little Heroes 

Your business could - donate a raffle prize, sign up as a drop off point or donate direct to the campaign. 

Myself and the board Amy Smith, Lisa McCloskey, Roisin McDermott, Sinead McKeever and Aimee Oliver are working hard on this years campaign and would love your help. 

Throughout I have used the word "we". We means you. You have helped thousands of families over the years and this year will be no different. We will do our best to help those in need.

Send me a message on social or email: info@diggdeepforkids.com for more information.

Caroline x