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Social and Affordable Housing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Questions (110)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

110. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy basis for only using one-bed units for housing first tenancies; if the policy will be amended to include two-bed units given the shortage of one-bed units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4914/21]

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Written answers

Housing First enables homeless individuals with high levels of complex needs to obtain permanent secure accommodation with the provision of intensive housing and health supports to help them maintain their tenancies.

The National Implementation Plan for Housing First, published in September 2018, which puts the programme on a national footing, is designed to provide this response, by delivering permanent housing solutions and associated supports for rough sleepers and long-term users of emergency accommodation. It extends the delivery of Housing First nationally, with the introduction of targets for each local authority. The Plan includes an overall target of 663 tenancies in the period 2018-2021. The implementation of the Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the HSE and the local authorities.

A number of key principles are associated with Housing First. Housing First programmes that follow these principles have been found to achieve broadly the same high success rates. The principles in the National Implementation Plan are drawn from the Housing First Guide Europe, which is closely based on the principles contained in the original Housing First handbook developed by Dr. Sam Tsemberis.

The Programme for Government aims to continue to expand the Housing First approach with a focus on the construction and acquisition of one-bed homes and the provision of relevant supporting services.

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