Paul Keenan
Dublin’s Simon community has offered a guarded welcome for the Government’s action plan on housing and homelessness.
Reacting to the unveiling of Rebuilding Ireland, a 114-page plan containing 84 recommendations on dealing with the housing crisis, a spokesperson for the body which works with homeless people said the document “looks promising” but cautioned that more detail would be welcome.
“There needs to be more on the actual implementation of the plan, for example in the areas of timelines and areas of responsibility.”
According to latest figures, there are currently 6,170 homeless people in Ireland, with 2,177 of that number being children.
The provisions of Rebuilding Ireland aim to tackle homelessness through a €5.35 billion infusion to supply 25,000 housing units each year for the next six years with an additional 47,000 social housing units by the end of 2021. Additionally, a housing procurement office is to be established with the aim of seeking out and gaining properties for the rental sector.
Initiative
The plan will also see an end, except in limited circumstances, to the use of hotel rooms to accommodate homeless families by the middle of next year, while, in addition to an initiative to provide financial and legal advice for people facing serious mortgage arrears, a €70 million fund to allow the Housing Agency purchase vacant homes held by banks will be established.
The full Rebuilding Ireland action plan can be read at http://rebuildingireland.ie/