COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 11, 2019

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor K. Mahon

Commitments were given by management that regular meetings with service users in homeless hubs would take place after a number of incidents raised significant and important questions about conditions in hubs, access to wrap around services and pathways out of homelessness.

Can the Chief Executive report as to what steps have been taken to engage with service users and what meetings have taken place? 

REPLY:

Emergency accommodation is provided to families in family hubs at Tallaght Cross, Springfield, Firhouse and the High Street Hub (Abberley).

The Council as well as Family Hub management and support workers engage on issues relating to family hubs through the following:

• Councils' Homeless Unit & Allocations staff available to engage with all homeless hub residents on housing applications and support issues;
• Resident forum to deal with all relevant management/resident issues at High Street Hub;
• Council Place-finding service available to and actively contacting Family Hub residents to support their progress to HAP tenancies;
• Liaison between senior staff of Housing Department and management of Family Hubs & family support key workers both through regular meetings and individual case  where necessary;
• Key workers available to all residents to assist them exit homelessness;

Respond!, the operators of the Gleann na HEarna/Springfield and Firhouse Family Hubs, recently presented to the Housing SPC to outline its approach to management of the family hubs in conjunction with the Council with the opportunity for members of the Committee to engage with their management team to address issues of concern.  Further such engagements with operators can be arranged with local Councillors.