COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 14, 2019

QUESTION NO. 16

QUESTION: Councillor M. Johansson

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on the number of homeless in South Dublin County, including a breakdown of families/individuals and what type of emergency accommodation are being accessed?

REPLY:

As at 30th September, a total of 624 households were registered as homeless with the Council comprised of the following: 265 families, 13 couples, 284 single males and 62 single females.

The Council’s Homeless Unit provides assistance to persons who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The unit operates an advice clinic in County Hall, provides outreach and place-finding services across the County as well as advising on emergency accommodation options including central placement, self-accommodate, family hubs and other supported accommodation. The unit will also organise emergency accommodation for those assessed as homeless through the Assessment and Placement Service.

Families presenting as homeless can be given the option to self-accommodate in hotels/B&Bs etc. while single people are provided with emergency accommodation through hostel-style accommodation with shared rooms.

All homeless applicants have access to Homeless Housing Assistance Payment support to assist with securing private rented accommodation and this process is supported by our place-finding team.

The Housing Department in conjunction with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and other partners continues to assess locations and properties throughout the County for use as appropriate emergency accommodation for single persons and families while additional options to support persons moving on from supported temporary accommodation are also explored on an ongoing basis. In addition, the Council is also committed to the provision of housing first tenancies where appropriate.

Housing supply is ultimately 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. This is supported by the Housing Department continuing 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.