Families in emergency accommodation after days of unrest in Ballymena

NIHE chief executive Grainia Long said she expects the number of people seeking help to rise, adding that demand for emergency and temporary accommodation is extremely high.

Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme, Ms Long described the last week as “extraordinary”, saying there is an “unprecedented number of families locally who feel it is unsafe to stay in their home”.

“Demand is extremely high, and it has been one of those weeks where everyone has had to move very quickly to respond.”

“We do expect the numbers to increase as households make decisions about what is safe for them.”

However, she said not everyone wants temporary accommodation.

Ms Long has said that “a number of households have made their own arrangements”.

While demand for temporary housing is on the rise, Ms Long said the available supply of appropriate housing is an issue.

“We don’t have any contingency or additional accommodation,” she said.

“We are working to make sure we have the right numbers of temporary accommodation.”

She added that NIHE staff “have been out on the ground, supporting communities, working within them and ensuring their safety”, as well as “working with older people who are scared and asking questions about their safety”.

Ms Long told BBC News NI that she is “worried about households that we may lose contact with, those who may be vulnerable to exploitation, particularly those with children”.

There has been disorder in Northern Ireland for four nights in a row, with a lower level seen on Thursday than earlier in the week.

Commenting on the trouble in Portadown, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “Officers deployed a variety of public order tactics to restore order to the town as quickly as possible.

“Twenty-two officers were injured [on Thursday] and I am so grateful to them for their bravery and selfless dedication in protecting the community of Portadown from this criminality.

“We saw calm in Ballymena and I hope the powerful words of the family who asked for calm during this really difficult time were heard and continue to be heard over the coming days.

“Two arrests were made in Portadown last night and more will follow.”

During the first three days of violence, 41 officers were injured. Fifteen people have been arrested so far.

On Thursday evening, about 100 people attended an anti-racism protest in west Belfast.

In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable said families hid in attics and wardrobes during violent disorder in Ballymena this week.

Jon Boutcher described the violence as “racist”, adding “the people who are threatening families who are different to them – that is racism”.