Ivana Bacik
Question:771. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that there is capacity for single homeless persons in State-funded emergency accommodation. [16979/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (771)
Written answers
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Specifically under Section 10 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 local authorities are responsible for the provision of housing supports to households for the purposes of meeting their accommodation needs, including services provided to homeless persons under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
The County and City Management Association (CCMA) have confirmed that there is sufficient emergency accommodation available at this time. Each local authority will keep working to ensure all prevention options are explored in the first instance. Tenant-in-situ negotiations are ongoing where landlords are willing to consider the sale of a property to the Council in situations where a Notice of Termination has been issued and the person is at risk of homelessness.
Furthermore, a homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. It is a matter for the Management Group to bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless individuals in their administrative area and the funding requirements will be considered in this context.
My Department will continue to work with local authorities to ensure sufficient funding is made available for all required homeless services, including the provision of emergency accommodation, to support those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.