AQW 50397/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities

To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any engagement that has taken place with the voluntary and community sectors to coordinate support for vulnerable people during extreme heat events.

Asked by John Blair MLA on 3 July 2026

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
Tabled
3 July 2026
Answer due by
22 July 2026
Answered
29 July 202626 days after tabling
Department
Department for Communities
Priority question
No

Answer

The Housing Executive leads on support to those who are homeless. Their existing Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) arrangements will consider any occasions on which there is extreme heat. A SWEP would generally only be implemented due to warm weather on occasions where the temperature forecast results in a weather warning.

The Housing Executive engages with partners such as the Welcome Organisation to ensure adequate supply of water and support to rough sleepers via their street outreach service.

No engagement has taken place with the wider voluntary and community sector to specifically coordinate support for vulnerable people during extreme heat events.

Official sources