Left out in thecold: A review of rural homelessness in ireland Government Commitments in relation to Homelessness Reflecting pre election commitments and the signing of the Simon Pledge5, homelessness was identified as a priority in the Fine Gael/LabourProgramme for Government 2011-2016. In addition, theHousing Policy Statement2011 outlines that “Delivering more and better outcomes for vulnerable, disadvantaged and special needs households, while achieving maximum return for the resources invested in these areas (for example through the introduction of the ‘housing first’ approach to homeless services), will be a key priority for the Government” (P4) The Government’sHomelessness Policy Statement launched in Feb 2013 consolidated this commitment endorsing a housing led approach with the main focus being: • Supply – availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing along with appropriate facilities and supports. • Prevention – effective action to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of homelessness. 4 • Support – foster a culture that promotes independent living with supports as appropriate. ‘In an Irish context, housing-led is about the rapid provision of secure housing, with support as needed to ensure sustainable tenancies’ (Homelessness Policy Statement; 2013; p2). This policy Statement contained the renewed commitment to end long-term homelessness and rough sleeping by 2016, using the said housing-led approach. It also established a Homeless Oversight Group to review the approach being advocated in the Statement, identify obstacles and propose solutions. The Homeless Oversight Group reported6 in December 2013 for the first time and the main outcomes included the establishment of a Homelessness Policy Implementation Team and a Central Implementation Unit approved by Government in February 2014. The key part of their work is the implementation of theFirst Report of the Homelessness Oversight Group which is being pursued through a structured plan 5 Prior to the Election 2011 the five main political parties in the State; Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and the Green Party signed the Simon Election Pledge, pledging that if elected to Government that they would ensure that tackling homelessness would be a top priority(2013) 6 www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,34865,en.pdf
Left out in the cold: A review of rural homelessness in Ireland
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