Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
39. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the length of time he anticipates homeless family hubs will be in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33434/17]
View answer59. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the maximum stay for families accommodated in family hubs; if he has committed to no family being accommodated for longer than six months in a family hub; the move on options to permanent housing there will be for these families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33111/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 59 together.
The Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness provides for early solutions to address the high number of households and families in emergency accommodation. These include the delivery of increased social housing supply through new-build, acquisition and refurbishment schemes and independent tenancies for homeless households in the private rented sector through housing supports such as the enhanced Housing Assistance Payment.
As part of the response to the commitment contained in Rebuilding Ireland that, by mid-2017, commercial hotels and B&B's would only be used as emergency accommodation for homeless families in limited circumstances, housing authorities are delivering a number of family-focused, supported temporary accommodation facilities (Family hubs).
Family hubs are an important first response for families who become homeless and who have no alternative other than commercial hotels. The hubs will provide more appropriate and suitable accommodation for families. They are not a long term housing solution, as families will move into houses and apartments that will be provided under social housing supports, as supply becomes available. This type of emergency accommodation provides a secure and stable placement for families on an on-going basis unlike the insecurity of hotel accommodation especially during peak periods and holidays.
These custom-developed facilities will offer family living arrangements with a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Furthermore, such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning including on-site access to required services, such as welfare, health, housing services, cooking and laundry facilities and appropriate family supports.
In relation to the Deputy's specific query, statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, while my Department’s role involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. Notwithstanding this, I understand that the housing authorities concerned will be working hard to ensure the progression of homeless families into independent tenancies, as quickly as possible.
