How your donation helps
Over the years, Extern has worked alongside many people who have found themselves trapped in a cycle of homelessness.
Ready to move on with their lives, they find themselves trapped in hostels, or temporary accommodation, because they aren’t a priority for social housing, or are finding it impossible to access the private rented sector.

Breaking the cycle of homelessness
We have created Extern Homes to help people break out of this cycle, and your donation will help us move more people from homelessness to homes. We are initially purchasing ten houses across Belfast to create homes. Homes for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Homelessness to homes
We are proud that Extern Homes is the first project of its kind in Northern Ireland.
This year, as Christmas approaches, at least ten individuals and families who are currently homeless in Belfast, will look forward to being in a home of their own in the New Year, thanks to Extern Homes.

How it works
Extern Homes takes nominations from a range of homeless charities. Each person’s application undergoes an assessment of need by our Extern Homes panel. If they are successful, they are offered a home where they will be supported to live for a period of up to two years, and provided with housing benefit through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

What makes a home an Extern Home?
An Extern Home is a supported home.
Our tenants, who want, and are ready to move on with their lives, are enabled to do so because they are provided with wraparound support services. They are also provided with welfare advice by North Belfast Advice Partnership and given access to training and employment, as well as the opportunity to gain an Independent Living Qualification through our award-winning Extern Works programme.

The key to a new future
Following on from their time in an Extern Home, we help our tenants to secure long term accommodation, based on them having developed a tenancy history in a supported environment, and having been encouraged to save for a future tenancy deposit. Through Extern Homes, our tenants are not only getting back the key to their own front door, they are also being given the chance to unlock a whole new future for themselves.

Thank you so much for your support.
As a result of your kindness, Extern is able to continue on its mission of Changing Lives Every Day