Local bodies must plan for homeless

LOCAL authorities will be legally obliged to come up with homeless action plans, as the Government’s homeless strategies are to be given a legal basis to ensure that the housing and support needs of people who are homeless are met.

Housing and Urban Renewal Minister Noel Ahern, said the recommendation, made in the independent review of the Government’s homeless strategies, had been accepted. However, legislation would be needed and that would be drawn up as soon as possible.

“We intend to make the making of homeless action plans a statutory duty,” Mr Ahern said at a press conference in the Custom House in Dublin yesterday.