Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
313. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the report from an organisation (details supplied) that has reported that the charity dealt with 12,031 households that were at risk of homelessness; the measures he is taking to ensure that this level of households are not at risk of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51019/23]
View answerSupporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority, and funding of €215m has been provided this year to support the delivery of homeless services by local authorities and their service delivery partners.
The referred to highlights the important work undertaken to support those at risk of homelessness. Local authorities already oversee a range of homeless prevention and tenancy sustainment measures. Many of these services, including those operated on behalf of local authorities by NGOs, are funded by my Department, including Threshold’s Tenancy Protection Service. This service has been instrumental in preventing homelessness in the first instance and supporting people to remain in their homes.
Increasing housing supply across all tenures is essential in our efforts to eradicate homelessness. My Department continues to prioritise measures which focus on accelerating social and affordable housing supply through a combination of new build, targeted acquisitions and leasing. Record state investment of €4.5bn has being made available this year to support the largest State home building programme ever, including 9,100 new build social homes and 5,500 affordable homes.
The Government has also allocated funding to provide for increased levels of social housing acquisitions, with at least 1,500 social acquisitions to be completed this year. The acquisitions are focused on properties where a social housing tenant has received a notice of termination due to a landlord’s intention to sell the property.
The Government has developed the ‘Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ’ (CRTiS) scheme for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord intends to sell the property, but who are not in receipt of social housing supports.
