Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
315. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the target number of Housing First tenancies for County Wexford for 2021; the number of Housing First tenancies secured in County Wexford to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48235/21]
View answerHousing 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 with a target of 2 tenancies for county Wexford in 2021. The implementation of the Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the HSE and the local authorities.
Details on the number of Housing First tenancies are published every three months as part of my Department's Homeless Quarterly Progress Report, with the next report due for publication on 29 October 2021. The most recent report from the end of June 2021 shows that a total of 3 tenancies were created under the Housing First programme in county Wexford in the year to date.
