Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
275. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons that fall into the category of the hidden homeless (details supplied); the number of those that have a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39568/20]
View answerMy Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless and Section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area are provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments. These published social housing waiting list figures provide details of the nature of specific housing needs that are not currently being met.
The most recent summary, from June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were qualified for, and in need of, social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the last assessment in June 2018. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600, a reduction of 25%.
Of the current number qualified for, and in need of, social housing support, 4,126 households or 6% were those who had a specific need for housing based on disability. We also know from the summary that approximately 20% of the people on the waiting list currently live with their parents and a further 8% are listed as living with relatives/friends.
Increasing the supply of housing, particularly new build social and affordable homes is a priority for myself and for the Government. The Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by more than 50,000, with an emphasis on new builds. In Budget 2021, we backed this objective with funding of €3.3 billion for the delivery of housing. The available funding will deliver 12,750 new social homes through build, acquisition and leasing. A major focus of this investment is the delivery of new build, with an overall target of 9,500 new homes. These increased build targets will see more local authority build on local authority land.
