Local authorities have a wide range of powers to enable them to respond to the accommodation needs of homeless people in their areas, including the direct provision of accommodation and securing accommodation for homeless persons through the agency of the health boards or voluntary housing organisations. In the Dublin area a referral service is operated by the Eastern Health Board on behalf of the local authorities to arrange emergency accommodation for homeless persons. Dublin Corporation, in whose area the greatest incidence of homelessness is found, has a cold weather strategy to increase the supply of accommodation, including the establishment of a night-time drop-in service, operated by CROSSCARE, for homeless people during the winter months. The corporation is also pursuing a strategy to assist homeless people back into independent living or into sheltered housing accommodation with the objective of freeing up emergency hostel accommodation.