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Homeless Persons Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2022

Thursday, 5 May 2022

Questions (57)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

57. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there will be a review of the current policy whereby persons or families on the brink of homelessness can avail of assistance from the local authority homeless prevention office only after that person or family has become homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/22]

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Oral answers (8 contributions)

I would like an outline of the policy across local authorities as to what point their homelessness services or officers kick into action. I believe that policy needs to be reviewed within local authorities such that people on the brink of homelessness can access those services. At the moment that is not necessarily always the case.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist.

The increase in homelessness seen in recent months is of serious concern to the Government and we are acting to address it. While significant work has been done, there is still considerably more work to be done. There are a myriad of reasons for the increase, including landlords leaving the market, which I think the Minister referred to, and HAP availability decreasing. There are a significant number of challenges that we are attempting to address.

Contrary to what is perhaps suggested by the question, there is no national policy that prevents local authorities from providing assistance until a person has become homeless. As set out in Housing for All, the Government is committed to a housing-led approach as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. This includes the prevention of loss of existing housing. We actively encourage local authorities to undertake prevention measures. For example, Housing for All provides for enhancement of the provision of targeted prevention and early intervention services for families and children who are at risk of homelessness through a co-ordinated multi-agency response, with the Department, the HSE, Tusla and local authorities leading in this area. Local authorities already oversee a range of homelessness prevention and tenancy sustainment measures. Many of these services, including those operated on behalf of local authorities by NGOs, are funded by our Department. These include Threshold's tenancy protection service. This service has been instrumental in preventing homelessness in the first instance and in supporting people to remain in their homes. Our Department also funds the HAP place finder service, which plays a vital role in keeping families out of homelessness and housing families who find themselves in emergency accommodation.

All additional measures we can take to address the rise in homelessness are being actively pursued by the Government.

The reason the question is phrased in the way it is is that there seems to be an issue in my constituency in dealing with the local authority down there and the accommodation finding officer. The officer will offer full, proper assistance only when a person or family find themselves without a home. Cork County Council has been to the fore in bringing voids back into the social housing stock and in delivering social housing in general. The Minister will visit Skibbereen next week and the 50 social houses there and the 100 social houses in Clonakilty that are being delivered for families that need them. However, there are families who find themselves only a matter of weeks from being without a home because of the sale of a property, for example. They are not able to avail of the county council's homeless services and emergency accommodation. The likes of Novas are under serious pressure to deliver such services, so something needs to change in that regard.

If I may be so bold as to request a supplementary reply from the Minister, it is about the fact that people are being refused payment plans for going onto HAP, which is creating huge difficulty. I dealt with a woman to whom this happened the other day. She broke the agreement on the basis of being in hospital. She is dealing with eviction and the money has been sought upfront. There were legacy arrears of €1,600. It is a huge issue and something that absolutely needs to be addressed.

I have researched the operation of the policy in Cork City Council and Cork County Council. They have advised that if persons present with a notice to quit, they will engage immediately. The notice to quit will be sent to Threshold for verification. Once that is validated, Cork City Council or Cork County Council will support the tenant with services such as HAP place finder. If a tenant is in arrears, Cork local authorities may refer to MABS and explore if a hardship clause can be used, if the landlord can be engaged with, etc. If a tenant has not received the notice to quit but is expecting one, the tenant must remain in the property to receive assistance if and when the notice to quit is issued. The local authority should then proceed to provide support - for example, referral to Threshold. As I said in my opening response, I think Cork County Council, in the Deputy's area, does engage.

The Deputy referred to the voids programme. The Minister will announce a new voids programme next week for social housing tenants. This will include the delivery of 100 social housing units in Clonakilty. I hope that that provides a response to the Deputy's specific question.

In response to Deputy Ó Murchú's question, it would be useful if the Deputy could provide details of the specific issue he raises. I think there should be some discretion there, but if he could provide us with details of that issue, we will-----

I will. It is HAP central that is saying that that is the case from February, that no one who breaks an agreement will get a new one and that no new tenant can enter into a brand new agreement. It will lead to homelessness. I appreciate the Minister of State's response. I will be on to the Department directly.

Again, Cork County Council is at the forefront when it comes to voids and bringing them into the delivery of actual social houses. The council would be at the very top if there were a league table. The Minister of State has quite correctly read out the policy as to when the place finder mechanism should kick in. I am saying we do not always see that on the ground. Quite often we see instances in which people are two, three or four weeks away from having to vacate a property and the place finder mechanism that local authorities have does not seem to assist as it should. Novas and Threshold, as was said, have big caseloads to deal with, unfortunately. Maybe the question should be rephrased to ensure that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage ensures that local authorities implement that policy where a notice to quit is demonstrated and that the place finder service does everything possible to ensure that accommodation is found.

There should be a standardised approach. Our Department funds Threshold, so if the Deputy and clients are not finding this to be the case on the ground, it should be the case. They should have that support immediately, and in advance if they are at risk of homelessness or find themselves with a notice to quit. It is critical that all local authorities have that standardised approach.

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