COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, April 08, 2024
QUESTION NO.20
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
To ask the Chief Executive to present an up to date report on his continued efforts to deal with our Housing/Homeless crisis and may we have 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.
On 29th February 2024, there were 48 allocations to homeless households in South Dublin. Of the total allocations 26 were allocated in February, 5 of these were singles and 21 were to families/couples (comprising a total of 36 adults & 50 children). We have significantly exceeded our target of 71 allocation to homeless households in 2022, which saw an increase of 242% in 2023.
To date, 11 offers of accommodation made to families in emergency accommodation were 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 and we will continue to actively explore further options for the provision of emergency accommodation across the County in collaboration with the DHRE.
Refuge facilities, provided and managed by Saoirse 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 facilities 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 an additional staff and supports, directly and through the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.
We are committed in 2024 to refining and improving our performance in this area and to achieve higher levels of delivery and reduce homelessness in our County given its importance, particularly in the current circumstances.