What Simon Community does

Simon Community is Northern Ireland's leading homelessness charity, operating as a registered charity (NIC102724) and company limited by guarantee (NI 017466) from its headquarters at 17 Bedford Street, Belfast. The organization delivers a comprehensive service architecture spanning crisis intervention, temporary accommodation, specialist support, and long-term housing solutions. A free 24/7 Homeless Support Line (0800 171 2222) serves as the entry point, feeding into a physical network of 18+ accommodation and service sites across Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine, Armagh, Newry, Portadown, Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn, Ballymena, Larne, and surrounding areas. On average, the charity supports 1,136 people every day through a 350+ staff workforce.

Core services include adult accommodation (with a 22-bed female-only facility), The Foyer for young people aged 18-25, the Conway Court Family Hostel, a Tenancy Deposit Service that has supported nearly 600 people into private rental, and a Community Support Service focused on homelessness prevention. Specialist offerings include the Drug and Alcohol Outreach Team (naloxone training, needle exchange, harm reduction), the Women's Advocacy Project, and wellbeing practitioners. Underlying technology consists of case management systems for client support tracking, a CRM for donor/supporter management, Stripe-powered online donations, and integrations with JustGiving and Enthuse fundraising platforms. There is no API, no mobile app, and no AI/ML capability disclosed.

The business model is entirely non-commercial: all services are free to end users, and no pricing tier exists. Revenue is generated solely through donations — individual one-time and recurring contributions, corporate partnerships, gifts in wills, in-kind donations, and event-based fundraising (Europa Abseil, Belfast City Marathon, One BIG Sleep Out). The charity maintains statutory integration with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Health and Social Care Services, alongside operational referral partnerships with The Welcome Organisation, Foyle Haven, Street Soccer NI, and local community groups.

Name

Simon Community

Legal name

Simon Community

Website

https://simoncommunity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Simon Community is Northern Ireland's leading homelessness charity, providing free 24/7 crisis support, temporary accommodation across 18+ sites, and specialist services for individuals, youth, and families, supporting 1,136 people daily through 350+ staff and a donation-funded model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness Support Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homelessness support services
• Temporary accommodation
• Housing solutions
• Youth homelessness programs
• Family accommodation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from the public, both one-time and recurring monthly contributions, processed online, by post, or phone
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue from events including Europa Abseil, marathon running, sleep-outs, and community fundraising activities. Fundraisers create Enthuse pages to collect sponsorship
3. Gifts in Wills: Residual gifts (percentage of estate) and pecuniary gifts (specific amounts) left in supporters' Wills. Described as a powerful way to create lasting change
4. Corporate Partnerships: Companies can partner with Simon Community, choose specific projects or services to support, access partnership materials, and engage in corporate volunteering
5. In-Kind Donations: Acceptance of essential items including food, toiletries, and non-perishable goods for accommodation services. No clothing or furniture currently accepted due to storage limitations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Simon Community is Northern Ireland's leading homelessness charity providing free temporary accommodation, housing solutions, and specialist support services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The organisation operates a 24/7 free Homeless Support Line, a network of accommodation sites across Northern Ireland (Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine, Armagh, Newry, Portadown, Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn, Ballymena, Larne), and targeted services for adults, young people (The Foyer, ages 18-25), and families (Conway Court Family Hostel).

Product overview

Simon Community is Northern Ireland's leading homelessness charity offering a comprehensive suite of interconnected services. The organization operates a 24/7 Homeless Support Line as the entry point for anyone seeking help. Core accommodation services include temporary accommodation across multiple locations for adults (including a 22-bed female-only service), young people through The Foyer, and families via Conway Court Family Hostel. The Tenancy Deposit Service removes financial barriers to private rental housing and has helped nearly 600 people secure homes. Specialist services include Drug and Alcohol Outreach, Women's Advocacy, and Wellbeing support. The Housing Solutions team coordinates access to housing options, while Community Support Services help people at risk remain housed. The Knowledge Hub and Publications archive provide research, stories, and policy responses that inform the sector. All services are delivered by over 350 staff across the region with a focus on harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and person-centered support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24/7 Homeless Support Line Free 24-hour helpline (0800 171 2222) providing immediate advice, guidance, and support to anyone experiencing homelessness or at risk in Northern Ireland. Staff assess situations and connect callers with appropriate services.
• Temporary Accommodation Services Emergency and short-term accommodation across multiple locations in Northern Ireland including Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine, Armagh, Newry, Portadown, Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn, Antrim, Ballymena, and Larne. Services include adult accommodation (with female-only facilities offering 22 bed spaces).
• Family Accommodation Service Specialized accommodation and support for families experiencing homelessness, including temporary housing with support for parents to learn budgeting, life skills, and independence. Includes Conway Court Family Hostel.
• Tenancy Deposit Service A grant program that covers rental deposits to help individuals and families access private rental housing. Has supported nearly 600 people into their own homes.
• Drug and Alcohol Outreach Team Specialist outreach service providing one-to-one therapeutic support, drop-in support groups, family support programs, naloxone training, needle exchange, and Dry Blood Spot Testing for blood-borne viruses.
• The Foyer Young people's temporary accommodation service in Belfast providing housing-based support, activities coordination, and pathways to independence for people aged 18-25.
• Women's Advocacy Project Advocacy service providing individual and group support specifically for women experiencing homelessness across Belfast accommodation projects.
• Community Support Service Non-accommodation support helping people at risk of homelessness remain in their homes, including practical advice, liaison with housing authorities, and assistance accessing services.
• Housing Solutions Coordinated housing support combining Housing Options Made Easy (HOME) and Central Access Point (CAP) teams to manage referrals, support tenants, host housing clinics, and help clients navigate housing options.

Quantifiable outcome

• On average supports 1,136 people every day through services across Northern Ireland
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Welcome OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with The Welcome Organisation to provide comprehensive support services. The Welcome Organisation operates a Support Hub in Belfast offering basic needs (food, showers, laundry) and a Street Outreach service for those sleeping rough in Belfast
• Foyle Haven Day CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for adults experiencing homelessness in the Derry/Londonderry area. Part of the Depaul Charity network providing day centre services
• Street Soccer NIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStreet Soccer NI works with over 200 people every week across Northern Ireland offering free football sessions. Simon Community sponsors the Homeless World Cup team and refers clients to participate. The Tenancy Deposit Service supports Street Soccer participants to secure housing
• Northern Ireland Housing ExecutivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary statutory partner for housing in Northern Ireland. Simon Community works closely with Housing Executive to help clients access social housing, understand housing points, and navigate housing options. Referrals and joint working on housing solutions
• Health and Social Care ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with health services for mental health support, addiction services, GP access, and Community Psychiatric Nurse collaboration. Health and social care professionals can refer clients to Simon Community services
• Newry Confederation of Community GroupsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReuben volunteers with this organization which offers advice, practical support, services, and training in the Newry and Mourne area. Simon Community clients can participate in community activities through this partnership

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cyrenians: Charity working across Scotland and Northern Ireland on homelessness, food insecurity, and social exclusion, offering supported accommodation and community-based support services. Comparable multi-service model and overlap with Simon Community on the Northern Ireland supported-accommodation landscape.
• Centrepoint: UK charity supporting young people aged 16-25 experiencing homelessness, with accommodation, life-skills training, and education/employment support. Directly comparable to Simon Community's The Foyer service and broader young-person offer in terms of target segment, intervention model, and outcomes focus.
• Simon Communities of Ireland: National federation of homelessness charities across the Republic of Ireland providing temporary accommodation, housing support, and tenancy sustainment services. Operates the same 'Simon' branding and service model as Simon Community NI and is the most direct peer in terms of mission, service mix, and target population.
• Depaul UK: UK homelessness charity providing accommodation and support services, with active operations in Northern Ireland through partner organizations (Foyle Haven Day Centre is referenced in Simon Community's data as a Depaul network partner). Comparable mission, services, and regional presence.
• Emmaus UK: UK federation of homelessness charities running 'Communities' that combine supported accommodation, training, and social enterprise work opportunities. Comparable to Simon Community in offering a multi-faceted pathway out of homelessness rather than just emergency shelter.

Regional players

• Focus Ireland: Republic of Ireland charity providing services for people affected by homelessness, including prevention, accommodation, and tenancy sustainment. Comparable mission and service mix to Simon Community, but operates in the Republic rather than Northern Ireland.
• The Welcome Organisation: Belfast-based charity operating a Support Hub (food, showers, laundry) and Street Outreach service for people sleeping rough. Listed as an active Simon Community partner, and directly comparable in Belfast-specific street-level homelessness intervention.

Broad incumbents

• Crisis UK: National UK charity focused on ending homelessness through direct services, research, and campaigning. Comparable to Simon Community in its end-to-end model (prevention through to housing) and its emphasis on root causes, but operating at UK scale rather than regionally.
• Shelter (UK): UK-wide housing and homelessness charity providing advice, support, and campaigning on housing issues. While Shelter operates nationally rather than regionally, it overlaps with Simon Community on housing advice, tenancy support, and policy advocacy, and competes for similar donor and corporate-partnership dollars across the UK.
• St Mungo's: Large UK charity providing accommodation, recovery, and prevention services for people experiencing homelessness, with significant London focus. Comparable in service breadth (accommodation plus recovery plus outreach) and target population, though operating at materially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SimonCommNI

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simon Community