440 people on homeless register in South County Dublin last month

By Aideen O’Flaherty

THERE were 440 people on the homeless register in South County Dublin this December, showing a marked increase in figures from January 2016.

275 people were on the homeless register at the beginning of January 2016, while over the course of the year 94 people from the list were housed including people who secured social housing and housing from approved housing bodies.

Francis Timmons, an independent councillor for Clondalkin, told The Echo: “Another sharp increase in homelessness shows again the lack of a sustainable plan to meet the growing need in our county, we need to build council houses and not rely on the private market where it is a landlord’s market.

“The worst part of the crisis is to see people sleeping rough in our area, this is shocking in this day and age.

“I don’t see a housing plan that is sustainable and that will deliver the housing we need.”

A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council said: “SDCC is working with Focus Ireland on the HAP [Housing Assistance Payment] Preventative Measure to assist and prevent those families at risk from becoming homeless.

“The council also operates an outreach service and multi-agency approach to address rough sleepers.”

The council operates two facilities in Tallaght to house the homeless, while B&B and hotel accommodation is organised through the Central Placement Services.