Introduction ‘…to make the transition from a shelter-led to a sustainable housing-led response to homelessness and to achieve the 2016 goals for homelessness’ (p4). ThisImplementation Plan on the States response to Homelessness approved by Government in May 2014, outlines 80 actions to address homelessness and identifies the lead statutory agencies with responsibility. Critically, it requires reporting to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy7 which is chaired by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD (Irish Prime Minister) on a quarterly basis. The Simon Communities are very supportive of all of these commitments to achieve the goal of ending long term homelessness. We firmly believe that with sufficient resources, political will and national direction this goal can be achieved. In fact, it must be achieved; people who are homeless must be prioritised. Current Policy Context The prolonged economic crisis has meant that more people are at risk of homelessness, more 5 people are becoming homeless and more people than ever are turning to the Simon Communities for support. The Simon Communities in Ireland saw a 24% increase in the number of people using our services in 20128, and the numbers continue to grow. There still is not a definitive count of the number of people who are homeless in Ireland. Best official figures available are from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures released in September 2012 which indicated that 3,808 people were either counted in accommodation providing shelter for people who are homeless or sleeping rough on Census Night April 10th 2011. Of those 3,808 people, 1,648 or 43% were in emergency accommodation. This is a minimum figure and things have deteriorated significantly since 2011. The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive rough sleeper count for Spring 2014 indicated that 127 people were sleeping rough on one night in Spring, a 35% increase from Spring 2013 count. This is despite increased numbers of emergency beds being made available. Official rough sleeper figures for other parts of the country are not available at this time. The availability of suitable housing with support is crucial to achieving the Government’s commitment of ending long term homelessness by 2016, using a housing-led approach. This remains a very real challenge in the current economic climate. However, it requires more than just housing; those with higher support needs must have the option of accessing appropriate support as necessary. This includes housing support and health and social care support based on need. 7 www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Taoiseach_and_Government/Cabinet_Committees/Social_Policy_for_attachment_to_main_page_.html 8 Simon Communities in Ireland Annual Report 2012, most available figures.
Left out in the cold: A review of rural homelessness in Ireland
To see the actual publication please follow the link above