COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, December 11, 2017
MOTION NO.2
MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty
That this Council expresses concern at the recent deaths of rough sleeping homeless persons in Dublin and reports on what efforts are being made by South Dublin County and its officials as part of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive to protect this particularly vulnerable group, many of who have addiction and/or mental health issues and need extra assistance during the cold winter months and the Christmas period when more staff will be off duty.
REPORT:
The most recent rough sleeper count took place in November 2017. Areas identified by Councillors and members of the public were visited to ensure an accurate count. South Dublin County Council has a unit dedicated to providing assistance to those who find themselves homeless. A clinic is in operation 5 days a week in County Hall, Tallaght and will be available while the Council offices are open. The Cold Weather Strategy 2017 was recently launched to cater for demand for homeless emergency accommodation and to tackle rough sleeping in Dublin during the winter months. Information on services providing support to those who are homeless over the Christmas period will be circulated.
The Council operates an outreach service and multi-agency approach to address rough sleepers across the County. The Outreach worker works closely with the HSE in particular in identifying rough sleepers and sourcing appropriate accommodation and support services. The needs of rough sleepers are often very complex and challenging and require a comprehensive and coordinated approach. The Homeless Forum under the auspices of the South Dublin County Partnership as part of its work plan for 2017 has established a Homeless Action Team which is focusing on single persons and known rough sleepers. It is expected this will continue into 2018.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) on 22nd November announced details of the Cold Weather Strategy 2017, additional new facilities and enhanced service options to meet demand for homeless emergency accommodation and to tackle rough sleeping across the Dublin region.
The impact of severe weather can be immediately life threatening to people who are rough sleeping and it is essential to have a coordinated response in order to mitigate against the risk of exposure. Emergency accommodation provision for adults in Dublin is being expanded by 200+ permanent bed spaces with an additional 50 temporary bed spaces available for the winter period.
The 200+ bed spaces are distributed across seven new emergency accommodation facilities which will be operated by partner agencies in the charity sector. Each of the Service providers has extensive experience in the delivery of services to persons who are homeless and have staff with the required skills and competencies. Each is established under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the DRHE.
Once a person has been assessed as homeless by the relevant Dublin local authority, they will be placed into a bed space via the Dublin Region Central Placement Service and Freephone Service. Support services are provided to ensure targeted responses to any acute support needs.
Enhanced service options operational during cold weather conditions
Services operate throughout the year to support persons who are rough sleeping, there is however, an increased emphasis on the level of service provision during the cold weather period. The cold weather period provides opportunities for engagement with long-term rough sleepers and hard-to-reach groups, where increased supports need to be available.
During the cold weather period the Housing First Intake Team operate from 7 a.m. – 1 a.m. every day, allowing flexibility according to the need presenting on any given night. Furthermore the staffing of the Intake Team will increase by two for the cold weather period, to enable broader engagement with persons sleeping rough across the Dublin Region.
Arrangements are in place with service providers that additional temporary shelter can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities for singles, couples and families on a temporary basis during adverse or extreme weather conditions, as occurred during the recent storms.
A contingency emergency response is already in place for any family who may be at risk of sleeping rough at night. Arrangements are in place between the DRHE, the Gardaí, Housing First, Central Placement Service and the HSE with a view to improving outcomes for people that may be sleeping rough.