Homelessness problem may be worse than official figures, says agency

THE problem of homelessness may be much worse than official statistics have shown in the past, a conference heard this week, with more social housing needed to help combat the crisis.

While the most recent Homeless Needs Assessment indicated that 2,399 households were experiencing homelessness nationwide, the Simon community said that this is likely to be a “significant underestimate” of the true extent of the problem.

Chairman of Simon’s south-east branch, John McHugh, said that community-based services, which emphasise the role of prevention in breaking the cycle of homelessness, which affects many families, are the way to go.

“We ask for public and political support for our ongoing work to achieve the statutory funding necessary to make the continuation of this work possible into 2008.”

Social, Family and Community Affairs Minister Martin Cullen launched the South East Simon Community’s (SESC) annual report and spoke of the Government’s commitment to eliminate long-term occupancy of emergency homeless accommodation.

“The aim is that, by the end of 2010, no homeless person will spend longer than six months in emergency accommodation. Instead they will be facilitated in moving on to appropriate transitional or long-term accommodation, depending on their needs,” he said.

The report launch in Waterford heard that SESC worked with an average of 65 people per month across the region last year, with the youngest client 16 and the eldest 78 years of age. New referrals to the service numbered 298 — 134 children, 91 women and 73 men.

Regional development officer Chris Anderson said the biggest uptake of the service was in the areas of re-settlement and tenancy support. SESC has been providing the service across the region for the last three years and the main challenge, according to Ms Anderson, has been accessing good quality, private rental accommodation.

“The need for additional social housing is paramount with a focus needed on provision for single people, many of whom have access to their children,” she said.

In the south-east, homeless action teams provide support across the range of services, using a “partnership” approach.

“Agencies such as South East Simon Community, working in partnership with statutory services, can help develop flexible models,” said Mr McHugh.

Mr Cullen acknowledged that agencies such as Simon were important contact points for people with problems, who may be reluctant to interact with the formal services of his department.

“It’s possible to make a huge change to many people who find themselves in these situations. There’s no case that’s beyond redemption,” he said.

The minister pledged to work over the next few weeks to secure sufficient funding in budget negotiations to tackle homelessness. Fundraising for Simon in the south-east region alone will have to top €300,000 to make ends meet for 2007.

CASE STUDY

Mary’s story: A new home with Simon’s help

A SINGLE mum with five children, Mary left her area to make a new start in the countryside as part of a resettlement programme.

Her new home was isolated and the neighbours constantly complained about the children and the dog. Mary moved back to her original area and lived with her parents, her brother and his girlfriend in a small three-bedroomed house.

The overcrowding led Mary to seek assistance from a women’s refuge, and then the South East Simon Community became involved. After bringing her to the local authority, the SESC got Mary onto the housing waiting list so she could claim rent allowance.

The SESC has now bought a house in a good location and Mary moved in earlier this year. Her tenancy support worker has helped Mary settle in her new home and community.