Advances are being made in the battle against homelessness
However, we also wish to provide a clearer picture on homelessness and the responses to it in the eastern region.
A number of recent interviews and articles have presented an inaccurate picture of homelessness and rough sleeping in Dublin.
The deaths of three young people who experienced homelessness is a tragedy, as is the fact that these deaths occurred within a short time of each other.
However, contrary to media reports, it is not the case that this is, or has been, a weekly occurrence for people who are homeless in Dublin.
The Homeless Agency is a partnership body responsible for the planning, co-ordination and delivery of quality services to people who are homeless in the Dublin area.
The agency co-ordinates all homeless services in Dublin and provides training and other supports, monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of services, carries out research, and administers funding to homeless services.
In 2005 the Government committed over €54m towards a variety of homeless services in Dublin.
These include specialist healthcare initiatives for people who are homeless, including:
* Primary care (GP, nursing and dentistry) multi-disciplinary teams.
* Two outreach psychiatric services.
* Alcohol detox, rehabilitation and aftercare services.
* Four street outreach services, including a night bus service.
* Four settlement services.
* Seven food day centres.
* Four advice and information services.
* Thirteen emergency accommodation services.
* Twenty transitional and 10 long-term supported housing services. This year also saw a budget for development of tenancy sustainment services to support people in maintaining their tenancies where there is an identified risk that they may become homeless.
Such initiatives, and the increases in funding since the establishment of the Homeless Agency in 2001, have contributed significantly towards improving the range and quality of services available, and in addressing the underlying causes and consequences of homelessness.
The partnership approach adopted through the Homeless Agency by the voluntary and statutory sectors has enabled the development of specialist services which aim to address drug and alcohol problems, and which ensure that when people are referred to an emergency accommodation provider, their needs are addressed.
New service developments in recent years include a wet hostel, a low threshold hostel for those engaged in drug misuse and a detox treatment programme linked to an alcohol rehabilitation and aftercare programme.
In line with the increased funding and services there has been a significant decrease in the numbers of homeless and of people sleeping rough in the last three years.
In 2002, a total of 3,049 households (individuals and families) presented to the homeless persons unit. This decreased to 2,642 in 2004 - a fall of over 13%. In the first six months of this year 1,095 households have presented as homeless, and this indicates a continuing decreasing trend.
In relation to rough sleeping, a cold weather strategy was initiated by the Homeless Agency in November 2001 with the aim of providing street rucksacks and sleeping bags and mats to rough sleepers in partnership with Dublin city council’s homeless service section, Focus Ireland’s outreach service, Dublin Simon’s outreach service and the Dublin city council night bus. This service now operates on a year-round basis.
The numbers of individuals sleeping rough has also decreased significantly. In 2003, the street outreach teams conducted a survey over six weeks. This revealed that 312 individuals were reported to be sleeping rough on four or more nights of the week. In early 2005 the Homeless Agency’s emergency network undertook an analysis of their contacts with individuals sleeping rough. They found that 50 were sleeping rough on a continuous basis at any one time. Up to 70 more were sleeping rough on occasional periods of four to seven nights. These individuals are being supported by the outreach teams, the night bus and emergency accommodation providers.
While all these services and initiatives are in place the Homeless Agency recognises that there are still individuals sleeping rough, experiencing homelessness and, in some cases, accommodated for long periods within what should be emergency accommodation.
In order to continue to address these issues, the agency, as a partnership body, is focused on:
1. Increasing and enhancing new preventative initiatives.
2. Building capacity within local areas outside of Dublin city centre
3. Increased inter-agency support to individuals who have experienced homelessness over a prolonged period.
4. Increased provision of long-term permanent accommodation.
Dr Derval Howley
Director
Homeless Agency
Parkgate Hall
6-9 Conyngham Road
Dublin 8
