ISSUES IN RURAL AREAS Although the causes of homelessness in rural areas are very similar to homelessness in urban areas, including poverty, inequality (structural), institutional, relationship or personal causes, there are some distinct differences between rural and urban homelessness. One of the most common differences is that rural homelessness tends to be more ‘hidden’ than in urban areas with fewer people appearing to sleep rough. Instead they stay with family and friends, couch/sofa surf or live in over-crowded and unfit accommodation. 9 This phenomenon has been relatively underexplored in the Irish context until recently. In 2013 an independent review17 of the Regional Settlement Service (RSS) run by Midlands Simon Community, the only region wide service in the region, was undertaken. This review outlines that a housing led approach can have successful outcomes and impact in rural settings and the outcomes are verified in the review. Furthermore, in September 2013 the first ever conference on Housing First and it application to rural areas was held hosted by Midlands Simon Community with Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)18. 17 Review of Regional Settlement Service (2013) Murtagh and Partners 18 Papers/presentations that are available on www.ait.ie
Left out in the cold: A review of rural homelessness in Ireland
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