COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 08, 2019

QUESTION NO. 45

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to present a full updated report on his endeavours to deal with the homeless/housing crises giving details on the numbers he is dealing with and listing those details for each electoral area; will he appreciate the concerns being expressed throughout the County in respect of the matter and will he make a statement.

REPLY:

The number of homeless applicants in the County is as follows:

Registered Homeless        (May 2019)	Total
Single Male	289
Single Female	66
Couples	9
Families	274
Total	638

This data is not broken down by electoral area.

The breakdown of their housing need for these applicants is as follows:

• 333 applicants have a 1-bed housing need;
• 146 applicants have a 2-bed housing need;
• 126 applicants have a three-bed housing need;
• 33 applicants have a four-bed housing need.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 Housing Assistance Payment  (HAP) support and the enhanced Homeless HAP support as well as engaging with property agents to encourage the use of HAP/Homeless HAP in order to provide the quickest exits from homelessness.

Family hubs are currently available at Tallaght Cross, the High Street, Springfield and Firhouse while Riversdale House, Kiltipper and  Killininny House provide accommodation for homeless single persons with additional placements 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 and the Council is committed to 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 Vs 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.