Ireland is in the middle of a catastrophic housing and homelessness crisis. Meanwhile, you say you want to end long-term homelessness and rough sleeping by 2016. If you don't move quickly and wisely - rather than being solved - long-term homelessness will become an epidemic.
This will mean that tens of thousands - including individuals, families and children - will have nowhere to call home. It will mean more people facing a brutal winter on our streets. More families sleeping in their cars. Serious illness, depression and death. It will mean more ‘working' homeless. More pressure on overrun shelters. More people on the housing lists.
I believe the government's emerging ideas on how to solve the crisis are welcome - but far too limited, short sighted and moving far too slowly. This is devastating for vulnerable families and is also economically foolish. Ireland can't afford the overwhelming costs of increased homelessness and lack of housing.
The crisis can be solved. The Simon Communities have a smart three-solution plan that will end long-term homelessness.
1. INCREASE HOUSING - AND THE RIGHT KINDS OF HOUSING
More housing - and right kinds of housing - must be made available for people who are on the brink of homelessness and those who are already homeless. These must be in areas where other support services are readily accessible. This is crucial for an effective ‘housing-led approach' to ending homelessness.
1.1 Social Housing and Homeless Budgets undefined
The Department of the Environment's budget must be increased to cope with the rise in demand for homeless services in 2014. The Department of Health and the Department of Social Protection - must have their budgets restored to 2013 levels, at the very least, in order to offer crucial supports. The Government must ensure that it has the necessary housing and support services in place before it begins to reduce funding for emergency accommodation. Provision for social housing must be increased by at least €250 million in Budget 2015. A proportion of social housing allocations must be ring-fenced for people moving out of homelessness
1.2 Provide adequate support services
A review of rent supplement limits must be carried out immediately and rent supplement brought into line with real market rents. Provision must be made nationally for higher rent payments under the Rent Supplement Scheme (RSS) and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, to specifically help people moving out of homelessness to secure housing. The new Dublin Protocol which helps families at risk of losing their homes must be extended on a nationwide basis. Community Welfare Officers (CWO's) must be given clearer guidelines on the use of discretion to help people to exit homelessness and support those at risk. Fast track the rollout of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme. There must be no further increases to the minimum contribution to rent supplement.
1.3 Private Rental Sector
Tighter legislation is needed to protect those who depend on the private rental sector for decent homes. A Deposit Protection Scheme must be set up to safeguard renters' deposits. Rent controls need to be applied as a matter of urgency. Clear incentives (tax breaks for landlords) must be considered to increase the amount of private rented accommodation on the market.
1.4 NAMA Properties
The transfer and selection process of NAMA properties for social housing must be fast tracked. Local authorities are considering if some NAMA properties offered in 2013 are suitable for a private and social housing mix, with a focus on meeting homeless needs. This is welcome, as long as the housing is appropriate.
2. PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPORT SERVICES
Ireland must also tackle the issues that often cause or accompany homelessness. These include low income, debt burden, poor health and wellbeing, loneliness and isolation, problematic drug and/or alcohol use, and unemployment. Ensuring the availability of the right support services can help people move out of homelessness and also prevent homelessness.
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2.1 HSE Social Inclusion Budget
The HSE's ‘social inclusion' budget must be restored to 2013 levels if the Government is to achieve its goal of ending long-term homelessness.
2.2 Drug and Alcohol Services
There must be sufficient support services for people with drug and alcohol problems, including access to treatment pathways nationwide. There must be no further cuts to the Drugs Budget or the Drug Initiatives Budget.
2.3 Mental Health
Community mental health services must continue to develop. The budget for mental health services must be brought back from €20 million to €35 million. The remaining €15 million, which was due in 2014 for mental health, should be restored.
2.4 Education and Training
The cuts to education and training in Budget 2013 must be reversed. When people take up these courses, they shouldn't end up financially worse off for doing so. Once a person falls into homelessness it can be a very difficult journey back to stability. Proven and cost-effective prevention can avert homelessness and support households in danger of becoming homeless.
3. PREVENT HOMELESSNESS BEFORE IT HAPPENS.
Once a person falls into homelessness it can be a very difficult journey back to stability. Proven and cost-effective prevention can avert homelessness and support households in danger of becoming homeless.
3.1 Prevention and Early Intervention
More funding must be provided for information and advice services for households struggling to pay bills and remain in their homes. Improved early intervention initiatives must be put in place for people who fall into rent arrears with their local authority. Reasonable case-by-case measures must be put in place for people at risk of eviction because of anti-social behaviour.
3.2 Social Protection Budget
The social protection budget must be restored to 2013 levels if the Government is to achieve its goal of ending long-term homelessness.
3.3 Basic Social Welfare Payments
Basic welfare payments must be increased in line with cost-of-living so people are not exposed to greater hardship. The length of time a person can remain on Jobseeker's Benefit must be reversed back to 12 months in duration. Supplementary Welfare Allowance must be realigned to basic social welfare payments.
3.4 Age Related Social Welfare
Cuts to welfare payments for young people, especially those who are vulnerable, must be reversed in Budget 2015. Discretion must be applied in the cases of people who are under 25 who are at risk of homelessness. Not all young people can rely on family or remain in the family home.
