Seventy adults in emergency accommodation in Westmeath

The number of adults accessing emergency accommodation in Westmeath during the week December 25–31 of 2023 was 68, according to the Monthly Homelessness Report from the Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The figures for the other midland counties are: Laois 28; Longford 18; and Offaly 55, giving a total for the region of 169, which is two per cent of the national total.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, published the Monthly Homeless Report for December 2023 and the Homeless Quarterly Progress Report for Quarter 4 2023 on Friday.

It also shows that there were 1,916 families in emergency accommodation in December 2023, a 4.2% (84) monthly decrease on the total for November 2023. A total of 3,962 children under 18 associated with those families were in emergency accommodation in December 2023. That is a 3.5% (143) monthly decrease on the total for November 2023.

The report shows that 609 households, including 744 adults and 266 families, exited homelessness in Q4 2023 – an increase of 7.6% in household exits, an increase of 5.8% in adult exits, and an increase of 11.3% in family exits compared to Q3 2023.

The department said that demonstrates that the Tenant in Situ Scheme is effectively preventing people who receive a notice to quit from entering emergency accommodation.

The Quarterly Progress report also shows the number of new families presenting to homeless services and the numbers entering and exiting emergency accommodation on a national basis.

Nationally, family presentations increased by 31.1% on Q3 2023 (from 762 to 999). Of the 999 families presenting, 639 (64%) were prevented from having to enter emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy having been created. 266 families exited emergency accommodation into a tenancy in the quarter, an 11.3% increase on the 239 families who exited homelessness in Q2 this year.

The Quarterly Report also shows that 47% of single households accessing emergency accommodation have been in emergency accommodation for less than six months (2,865 of 6,101 single households).

The report also shows progress in implementing the Housing First National Implementation Plan 2022-2026, a response to ending long-term homelessness among those with complex health and mental health needs. The Housing First Programme provides the most vulnerable of the homeless population with a home for life as well as health and social supports.

A total of 86 new supported tenancies commenced in Q3 2023. Through the programme, there are 979 high-support need individuals, who were formerly rough sleepers or long-term users of emergency accommodation, housed and supported in their own homes. 560 new Housing First tenancies have been created since the beginning of the current implementation, exceeding the Plan’s targets.

Minister O’Brie said: “Those without a home remain the top priority for this government. My department is making funding of €242 million available for the delivery of homeless services in 2024 – a 12.6% increase on the Budget 2023 allocation – and we have been clear that there will be no obstacle in funding much needed services.

“And the funding and resources we are providing does make a difference. In the last quarter of last year, nationwide, 609 households exited homelessness – an increase in the last quarter of 7.6% in household exits and specifically an increase of 11.3% in family exits. So we are moving more and more people than before into permanent and stable homes.

“Crucially, some of the most important figures are those families and individuals we have prevented from entering into homelessness. Again, in the last quarter of last year, 1,161 households were prevented from entering homelessness – and 91% more households than the previous year were prevented from entering homelessness – that includes 116% more families prevented from homelessness in that period. Here, the Tenant in Situ Scheme has been effective in preventing people who receive notices to quit from entering emergency accommodation and it’s for that reason we have continued it into this year.

“There is no doubt whatsoever though that immense pressure remains on our homelessness services. Supply of housing and accommodation – social, affordable and private – remains the ultimate solution to addressing the challenge in the longer term.

“This week, we saw from the latest data on housing completions that almost 32,700 new homes were completed last year, 10% higher than in 2022, and the largest annual delivery in 15 years. Also, the future delivery pipeline is strong and construction commenced on almost 33,000 (32,801) new homes last year, a 22% increase on commencements recorded in 2022 and more than in any other year since records began in 2014. In terms of social housing, we delivered more social homes in 2022 than had been provided in almost 50 years. We are finalising the figures for 2023 and I expect to see a further improvement on the impressive 2022 tally.

“Homelessness is a complex challenge – and individuals enter emergency accommodation for myriad reasons. However, we have a plan and we are making a difference. Whether it is prevention, exits or housing supply, the numbers are going in the direction that we as a society want and there is no lack of resolve or money to sustain this momentum and ultimately reduce the numbers entering homelessness.”