evidence: It is important to consider the statistics when placing the housing crisis in context. As at March last year, there were nearly 38,000 applicants in Northern Ireland on the social housing waiting list, of which more than 26,000 were recognised as being in ‘housing stress’, while 12,512 households were accepted as statutorily homeless. With less than a thousand new social homes built in 2018/19, at that rate it would take more than a decade to house just those who are accepted as homeless. It is fair to talk of a housing crisis in Northern Ireland, which is getting worse. What is more, housing stress is connected to broader social problems – it can trigger depression and can be a factor in suicide. It is also related to relationship breakdowns and a range of other social problems. "There are over 15,000 children, under 18s, living in housing stress in these six counties," says Marissa. "That is an awful lot of children growing up in accommodation that is not suitable. It’s overcrowded, in hostels, in single lets. Children have become institutionalised and don’t know any different. I don’t believe that in the 21st Century, in one of the six richest nations, that there should be that many people, including children, living in housing stress. There’s something seriously and fundamentally wrong."