Billy Timmins
Question:865 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the cost of funding an additional 1,000 bedspaces for the homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/01]
Written Answers. - Homeless Persons.
There is a range of accommodation provided for homeless persons, from emergency hostel accommodation to transitional and long-term accommodation. Funding is provided directly to local authorities and funding is also available from my Department under the voluntary housing capital assistance scheme to assist the provision by voluntary housing bodies of accommodation of homeless persons. It is not possible to estimate the cost of funding an additional 1,000 bedspaces for the homeless as the cost would depend on the type of accommodation provided and its location.
Under the voluntary housing capital assistance scheme, up to 95% of the capital cost of providing accommodation for homeless persons, subject to certain overall unit cost limits is provided by my Department through the local authorities. The limits are £53,000 for one to two person units of accommodation and £63,000 in the case of family type accommodation. A higher level of assistance is available in the administrative areas of the county boroughs and the administrative counties of Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South County Dublin at £75,000 for one to two person units of accommodation while the rate for family type accommodation is £90,000.
There are no unit cost limits in respect of accommodation provided by local authorities for homeless persons.