Shelter Northern Ireland - SLATE

The SLATE Project aims to offer an alternative to homelessness for young people aged 16-25 years who have support needs and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

We provide temporary furnished accommodation for up to two years. This is not emergency accommodation.

Also as part of our service we can support 6-10 young adults aged between 18-25 years on our Floating Support Service.

This service provides housing related support services to those who move directly to permanent accommodation.

If you want more information or wish to apply for this programme, you can contact the SLATE Project directly to make your referral on 028 8226 7010 or you can apply to the NI Housing Executive, your Social Worker or other support agency who can make a referral on your behalf.

The decision to allocate is taken by the SLATE Project Team and you will be informed of their decision in writing along with information on what to do next.

Accommodation is allocated on a first come first service basis.

The programme is open to all 16-25 year olds who have support needs regardless of religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political tradition, race or disability.

You do not have to be employed, or in training/education but you must have an accommodation need.

To be accepted as one of our residents, you must be willing to commit to a programme of training or employment or other support.

If you are successful getting a place, we appoint a Support Worker to assist you to look at your needs and goals. We do this by:

• Talking to you and assisting you to decide what help and support you need.
• Helping you apply for benefits.
• Showing you how to budget your money.
• Finding a training programme or employment.
• Offering emotional support and advice.
• Assisting you to develop domestic, life and social skills.
• Helping you maintain the Health, Safety and Security of your accommodation.
• Working to establish you within the local community.
• Enabling you to access other appropriate support services.
• Advocating on your behalf in the event of neighbourhood disputes.
• Facilitating you to work towards living independently.
• Supporting you in moving on from the Project when the time is right.

The SLATE Project wishes to develop a sense of independence and self-support among residents, therefore allocations will aim to reflect a range of differing needs in an attempt to encourage all residents in supporting one another.

We sometimes find that a persons needs are too high for our project to help. If your needs are too high for us, we will tell you and we will provide you with alternative solutions.

Referral by GP, School, Self or Social Worker