Report reveals surge in homelessness
And in many cases, men who have no reported addictions, physical or mental health issues are also becoming homeless – simply because of economic circumstances. The disclosures emerged in an unpublished internal report by the HSE’s homeless person’s unit (HPU). The unit has been the main service provider of frontline supports for the homeless in Dublin city for more than 20 years. However, under the Government’s planned restructuring of services, the unit will essentially be dismantled, with its main functions – placement and assessment of homeless people – transferred to Dublin City Council. In the report, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, HPU staff make it clear they do not believe the plans are in the best interests of vulnerable homeless people. They say it was a “matter of lingering regret and resentment” the HPU was not subject to proper evaluation before the decision was taken to restructure. Furthermore, staff remain unconvinced that research undertaken reflects the practical realities of homelessness.
“Accumulated wisdom of frontline staff is now apparently being cast aside as erroneous,” it states. Correspondence between the council and the HPU also reveals the apparent lack of knowledge the council has regarding homeless services.
A January 1 hand-over date was fixed last August but the council was not ready for a number of reasons. A new date of February 1 was agreed but changed again at the 11th hour to April 1. That deadline has passed without the hand-over being completed.
Documents show as late as December, council officials submitted pages of basic questions relating to HPU practices, which include:
* What is your policy on placing people who have been barred from other accommodations?
* Do you have any formal links with hospitals regarding discharge policies?
* What do you do if a person presents with a known contagious infection?
* Have you any formal links with psychiatric hospitals?
* Are there any agreements in place with domestic violence refuges?
* Have you any formal links with social work teams regarding child protection issues?
* Why do you operate separate clinics for men, women and children?
According to a union representative for the HPU’s community welfare officers, the unit is seen as “surplus to requirements”. Social campaigner Fr Peter McVerry said while the Government’s policy was to be welcomed, he was highly sceptical whether the resources were there to make it work.
