COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, January 15, 2024
QUESTION NO. 15
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
To ask the CEO if he now has proposals in place to continue his endeavours to deal with the challenge of Housing and Homelessness across our County: will he detail his plans 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 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.
In 2023, there were 172 allocations to homeless households in South Dublin. Of the 172 total allocations 12 were allocated in December 3 of these were singles and 9 were to families/couples (comprising a total of 15 adults & 20 children).
We have significantly exceeded our target of 71 allocation to homeless households in 2022. There are currently 75 properties assigned for homeless allocation in the coming months and 21 offers have already been made.
It should be noted that 24 offers of accommodation made to families in emergency accommodation were refused in 2023.
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 12households in 12 family rooms.
- Cappaghmore Family Hub: Recently opened facility 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, provided and managed by Saoirse supported by the Council and are operational at two locations in the County 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.
In 2024, €4,475,400 has been allocated for Homeless Services including additional staff and supports, directly and through the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.