COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2018

QUESTION NO. 28

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into Homeless within SDCC how many are on list and to compare this with same time last year? To give a breakdown of what accommodation they are currently being offered and receiving ?

REPLY:

There is significant demand for temporary emergency accommodation and the Council is committed to providing suitable accommodation for individuals and families who find themselves homeless.

The breakdown of numbers registered as homeless for September 2018 and the corresponding figures from the previous year were as follows:

	Sept 2017	Sept 2018
No. of Registered Homeless	447	621
Single Male	207	255
Single Female	48	59
Couples	11	7
Families	181	300

Our Homeless Unit provides assistance to those who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This Unit operates an advice clinic in County Hall and provides outreach and place-finding services across the County as well as detailing emergency accommodation options including central placement, self-accommodate, family hubs and other supported accommodation.

The outreach service for rough sleepers across the County works with other agencies including the HSE in identifying rough sleepers and sourcing appropriate accommodation and support services.  

The place-finding role assists families and individuals either in temporary emergency accommodation or at risk of homelessness to find private rented accommodation using the both Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the enhanced Homeless HAP as well as engaging with property agents to encourage use of HAP/Homeless HAP to provide the quickest exits from homelessness.

Family hubs are currently available at Tallaght Cross, The Abberley and Gleann na hEorna in Tallaght while Riversdale House and Killininny House provide accommodation for homeless single persons with additional placements are available in 'step down/transitional' accommodation.

The Housing Department in conjunction with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and other partners continue to look for suitable locations/property throughout the County for use as appropriate emergency accommodation for single persons and families. Additional options to support persons moving on from supported temporary accommodation continue to be explored including the provision of housing first tenancies where appropriate.

Housing supply is the key solution to the current housing/homeless situation and this involves delivery of social homes through our construction programme, complemented by acquisition, Part V, in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies and through various leasing options and the private rental market. In addition, the Housing Department continues to maximise the effectiveness of existing and new social housing stock through allocations and transfers to help address the challenges provided by the current situation.