COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

QUESTION NO.14

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the CEO to give assurances that everything possible is being done to provide supports for those presenting as homeless in our County; will he give details of his actions in that regard and make a statement? 

REPLY:

The Council continues to work proactively to address the ongoing challenges for households in need of accommodation through increasing new housing supply including in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies, ongoing choice-based letting and other allocation options, turning around vacant Council properties for re-letting, supporting HAP tenancies, and engaging with landlords on potential tenant in-situ acquisitions. 

Households at risk of experiencing homelessness should engage with the Council to examine prevention measures including possible alternative accommodation and our Homeless Unit continues to provide assistance to those who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  Working in conjunction with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, this unit operates an advice clinic in County Hall and provides outreach services across the County as well as detailing emergency accommodation options including central placement, self-accommodate, family hubs and other supported accommodation.  Staff in the homeless unit will organise emergency accommodation for those assessed as homeless through the Assessment and Placement Service and the Council continues to actively explore further options for the provision of emergency accommodation across the County in collaboration with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, with a new family hub recently opened in the Clondalkin area.

In addition, the homeless outreach service operates all year around for rough sleepers across the County, working with other agencies, including the HSE, in identifying rough sleepers and connecting them with appropriate accommodation and support services and this service will also play a vital role in assisting homeless rough-sleepers during the winter months.  In addition, the Council is also committed to the provision of housing first tenancies where appropriate.