STATEMENT BY MINISTER COFFEY FOLLOWING TODAY’S FORUM

Homelessness is something that wreaks havoc on a person’s human dignity and well-being.

It is important to recognise that it is a complex issue and requires a different set of solutions for those who are sleeping rough, for families whose urgent need is for emergency accommodation and for people who are currently in their private rented homes but are in danger of becoming homeless.

This is about more than just funding and accommodation. If we are to really address the problem, it will require a collaborative approach from all stakeholders – government, local authorities, state agencies, voluntary services and, indeed, the general public. We are committed to developing new and innovative solutions in response to the short term need for more emergency accommodation and today’s Forum on Homelessness has underscored the need for us all to work together to achieve that. That is what we intend to do.

The long-term solution is for both the private and public sector to build more houses which is being done through the Government’s social housing strategy especially. We are also committed to strengthening implementation of the many worthwhile programmes in place under the Government’s Implementation Plan on the State’s Response to Homelessness.

Minister Kelly said: ‘Our ambition is that there will be no need for anyone to have to sleep rough in Dublin this Christmas unless they make that choice themselves, for whatever reason. I want to profoundly thank everyone, across all the sectors, who attended our Forum today and who gave generously of their ideas, commitment and enthusiasm to find and implement solutions .’

Minister of State Coffey commented: ‘We have a good Government Implementation Plan on Homelessness but the purpose of today’s Forum was to move beyond what is currently being done and to see how we can do better. We have identified immediate, short term responses and we intend to get working on them.’

In response to today’s Forum, we have agreed to implement immediately the following targeted measures:

• Ministers will be directing local authorities in Dublin to put 50% of all new housing allocations towards vulnerable groups including those long-term homeless and people with special needs. This will be put in place for the next six months and will provide homes for over 300 people.
• Bring forward an additional 200 emergency beds for Dublin
• Make accommodation available for every person sleeping rough in Dublin between now and Christmas for those who wish to avail of it
• Bring a number of proposals to cabinet following today’s meeting for short-term actions.
• Reaffirm Government’s commitment to ending involuntary long-term homelessness by 2016

Ministers will be directing local authorities in Dublin to put 50% of all new housing allocations towards vulnerable groups including those long-term homeless and people with special needs. This will be put in place for the next six months and will provide homes for over 300 people.
Bring forward an additional 200 emergency beds for Dublin
Make accommodation available for every person sleeping rough in Dublin between now and Christmas for those who wish to avail of it
Bring a number of proposals to cabinet following today’s meeting for short-term actions.
Reaffirm Government’s commitment to ending involuntary long-term homelessness by 2016