Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2010
63 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress of the national homeless strategy to end long term homelessness and sleeping rough; the steps he will take in 2010 to achieve this goal. [2333/10]
View answerThe National Implementation Plan for the Government's Homeless Strategy, The Way Home, provides a robust framework to guide the action required at national level to end long term homelessness and the need to sleep rough by end 2010 through a series of priority actions and supporting measures, and promotes and supports effective implementation locally. At national level, a range of action is being taken to ensure that implementation of the Homeless Strategy is firmly underpinned by research, data and information, by a robust policy framework, adequate funding for homeless accommodation services, effective consultation and co-ordination structures and arrangements, comprehensive legislative provisions, and mechanisms for the provision of suitable accommodation with housing supports, as required. Practical achievement of the objectives of the Strategy will ultimately be determined primarily by the performance and effectiveness of action by relevant agencies at local level which, in future, will operate within the new statutory framework of structures and action plans provided for in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. An order to commence the relevant statutory provisions has been made bringing into force the homeless provisions with effect from 1 February 2010.
A new scheme of homes and support — "SLI" (Support to Live Independently) — was developed and details issued in July 2009. This will form an important element of action to end long term homelessness by providing suitable long-term accommodation in mainstream housing with appropriate supports to help people make a successful transition from homelessness to independent living. It involves the use of accommodation procured through the Social Housing Leasing Initiative or available to local authorities in the form of affordable housing that is unsold or considered unlikely to sell in the current market, along with availability of low to moderate level visiting supports, on a reducing basis for a period, to help homeless households address the challenges likely to arise in making the progression to independent living.
The new Social Housing Leasing Initiative which was introduced in February 2009 has widened the supply avenues available to local authorities to meet social housing need, and this combined with the supports available through the SLI scheme should improve the access of homeless households to long term housing.
While particular effort to move people with low to medium needs to mainstream housing is proceeding because this will reduce demands on emergency facilities, the provision of appropriate facilities and supports for people with more intensive needs is also a priority, whether in the form of certain mainstream accommodation, long term supported accommodation or emergency accommodation for people with higher needs. The re-configuration of existing homeless services will result in extending the availability of long-term supported residential accommodation for people who are unable to live independently.
Exchequer funding available for homeless accommodation and related services is being maintained at a record level of €56m in 2010 notwithstanding the more constrained state of the public finances.
Local authorities were advised by my Department to take a proactive approach with regard to homeless people during the severe weather conditions and to ensure, as far as possible, that no person would be left vulnerable due to lack of availability of emergency accommodation, should the need arise. The Department agreed in advance proposals and funding for cold weather arrangements in a number of areas, including Dublin; issued an alert to all local authorities outside of Dublin regarding the need for vigilance, adequate arrangements, etc; and issued a general approval to all local authorities to extend opening hours, where necessary. The Department is now considering how the good work done and information gained in the context of the recent cold weather efforts can be built on in order to accelerate progress towards achievement of the strategic objective of ending the need to sleep rough.
