COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, December 11, 2023
QUESTION NO. 22
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
To ask the CEO to detail his efforts in this calendar year to tackle the Housing/Homeless challenge; will he prepare a full report and make a statement? Charlie O'Connor
REPLY:
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.
To 31st October 2023, there have been 138 allocations to homeless households in South Dublin. Of the 138 total allocations 15 were allocated in October, 3 of these were singles and 12 were to families/couples (comprising a total of 24 adults & 40 children). We currently have a further 82 properties assigned to homeless households in the coming months, of which 30 have been formally offered accommodation so far. It should be noted that 22 offers of accommodation made to families in emergency accommodation have been refused to date this year.
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 and we will continue to actively explore further options for the provision of emergency accommodation across the County in collaboration with the DHRE.
Within South Dublin County, the following emergency accommodation is currently provided:
Family Hubs:
- High Street Family Hub (Abberley): a privately managed facility with 58 rooms (including 9 large family rooms) which is currently fully occupied with 54 households, some of whom require more than one room due to family size.
- Firhouse Family Hub: managed by Respond Housing with 20 rooms and currently fully occupied by 20 households.
- Springfield Family Hub: also managed by Respond Housing and fully occupied accommodating 12 households in 12 family rooms.
- Cappaghmore Family Hub: managed by Peter McVerry Trust, comprising of 8 rooms for smaller families.
Accommodation for Singles:
- Finnstown: privately managed facility comprising 45 rooms (with capacity for sharing) for single females
- Killininey: managed by Peter McVerry Trust with capacity for 21 for single males
- Kiltipper: managed by Peter McVerry Trust with capacity for 15 single males
- Riversdale House, managed by Dublin Simon, with 25 rooms for single, older persons
Refuge facilities, managed by Saoirse and supported by the Council are operational in Tallaght and Rathcoole to support victims of domestic violence. Additional supported/step down/transitional accommodation is also provided by approved housing bodies and other voluntary organisations including at Neilstown, Springfield, Kiltalown and Glencarrig.
The Council, in conjunction with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive 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.
The Council has allocated €4,475,400 in the Revenue Budget for 2024 for Homeless Services including additional staff and supports, directly and through the DRHE.