Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
301. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons classed as homeless; and the increased efforts being made to ensure these persons are suitably housed as a matter of urgency. [7827/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficial homeless reports are published on my Department's website on a monthly basis and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). These reports capture details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities.
The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of new homes and the provision of social housing supports, as envisioned in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. During the course of 2017 almost 26,000 social housing solutions were provided via housing authorities and I expect similar outputs in 2018. Indeed, the total housing funding provision of €1.9 billion in 2018, is an increase of 35% over 2017.
My Department, local authorities and approved housing bodies will continue to work closely, to identify further solutions and increase social housing solutions, so that we can continue to give those experiencing homelessness the support they need. The long-term housing needs of households in emergency accommodation will be met through a range of social housing supports, including through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and through general social housing allocations. Progress is being made in this regard and during 2017, over 4,000 adults that were homeless, or at risk of homelessness, entered into independent sustainable tenancies.
In this regard, I recently notified housing authorities of the availability of exchequer funding to support a new initiative to exit homeless individuals and households from emergency accommodation. It is now open to housing authorities to implement a ‘place-finder’ service, similar to that which has been operating successfully in Cork and Dublin. This service will provide assistance to homeless households to secure a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenancy. Place-finder services will assist such households to seek out properties in the rented sector that are suited to that household’s particular needs and will provide access to deposits and advance rental payments.
