Nama gives hotel to ease homeless difficulties

Bad loans bank Nama has offered a 100-bed hotel and four commercial properties ranging from 3,000sq ft to 20,000sq ft in a bid to help solve Dublin’s homelessness crisis.

The State agency is understood to have told officials the empty properties are available at a meeting with Environment Minister Alan Kelly on Thursday.

However, when the buildings were offered to Dublin City Council in October they were turned down, with concerns over their fire safety and the exact cost among the reasons why.

The buildings — which could play a key role in addressing the city’s rough sleeper crisis — include a 100-bed hotel currently left unused in Tallaght.

Four other commercial properties ranging from 3,000-20,000sq ft in city centre areas Talbot Street, Smithfield, Blackhall and Ormond Quay have also been offered as possible opportunities for emergency accommodation housing.

The properties are effectively shells, meaning fire regulations and other issues will need to be addressed before the buildings can be used.

News of the Nama offer came as the second day of lengthy discussions between homeless campaigners and State bodies saw more details outlined for ambitious plans to tackle Ireland’s rough sleeper crisis.

Speaking after meeting with groups like Focus Ireland, the Simon Community, Cross-care and other interested parties, Dublin lord mayor Christy Burke said the capital will have 260 emergency accommodation beds “by December 31”.

This will include 41 beds from the Peter McVerry Trust and Focus Ireland, with 31 coming on-stream on Monday and 10 more the week after, a 99-bed complex at Grenville Street from the Catholic Housing Aid Society, among others.

While some of the bed offers were already in place before Environment Minister Alan Kelly said on Thursday he would ensure no one is forced to sleep rough by Christmas, Independent councillor Mr Burke said all of the measures are “new”.

Noting a report saying 4,000 people a year become rough sleepers or move in with friends, and that 445 children are living “in B&Bs”, he said all help is welcome.

Meanwhile, speaking at a separate event, Mr Kelly said that he is considering changes to rent allowance to help some people at risk before they become homeless.