COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 09, 2023

QUESTION NO.23

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the CEO to confirm the number of new homeless cases presented so far in this calendar year and detail actions he is taking to deal with the challange? Charlie O'Connor

REPLY: 

Below are the current numbers in relation to those applicants currently availing of Emergency Accommodation. 

Homeless Register 2023	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug
No. of Homeless Households	513	511	512	506	520	530	533	547
Single Male	245	243	244	229	231	235	237	248
Single Female	68	68	68	74	74	73	72	77
New Presentations to Clinic	69	91	80	92	81	102	76	104
Homeless Allocations	12	13	13	9	17	15	12	17

The Council continues to work proactively to address the ongoing challenges for households in need of accommodation by increasing new housing supply through partnerships 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.

At 31st August 2023, there have been 108 allocations to homeless households in South Dublin. Of the 108 total allocations 17 were allocated in August, 3 of these were singles of which 2 were Housing First Tenancies and 14 were to families/couples (comprising a total of 21 adults & 36 children). We currently have a further 91 properties assigned to homeless households in the coming months, of which 31 have been formally offered accommodation so far.

To date this year, 20 offers of accommodation made to families in emergency accommodation have been refused.

Our allocation team are prioritising allocations to homeless households, including three and four bed homes to reduce family homelessness, and we are also progressing significant numbers of tenant in-situ acquisitions to prevent further homelessness.

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 help those who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  Working in conjunction with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DHRE), 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. 

The Council, in conjunction with the DHRE will continue to explore potential options for additional family hubs and other supported accommodation in the County.

In addition, the homeless outreach service operates all year round 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.