Winter homeless strategy is under review by County Council

WITH THE temperatures dropping dramatically, Wexford Co. Council has confirmed that it is reviewing its Out of Hours, Severe Weather and Christmas Emergency Homeless Accommodation arrangements.

Wexford Co. Council, when asked by this newspaper, said it was currently aware of five individuals who were homeless and understood to be ‘sleeping rough’.

Last week, the government unveiled plans for 200 extra emergency beds in Dublin as part of its Cold Weather Initiative.

Wexford Co. Council said that is will operate a Cold Weather Initiative between now and March, as in other counties, and pointed out that the local agencies responsible for implementing this policy were: Ozanam House Men’s Hostel, Tenancy Sustainment Service, Housing Led Service, Wexford Women’s Refuge and Wexford Co. Council.

These groups would ‘coordinate resources in order to provide immediate access to emergency accommodation for people become homeless locally’. Wexford, the council said, would also endeavour to assist other regions if resources permitted.

For those seeking help over the Christmas period, an emergency number will be put in place and homeless assessment will be undertaken by phone. Housing staff will provide this service on a voluntary rota system during core working hours – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.