Voluntary groups cannot replace experts
AMONG the biggest problems faced by charities and agencies involved in tackling the homelessness crisis is getting the most vulnerable the help they need.
In many cases, problems are compounded by mental health or addiction issues. The point that Eileen Gleeson appears to be making, albeit in a clumsy manner, is that wellmeaning actions cannot replace professional help, because an individual’s problems will not be solved by soup and sandwiches. Only through coordination among professional agencies can longterm solutions be found.
Does she have a point? There are more than 8,300 people without a home today, many of whom are living on the streets for prolonged periods of time. Clearly, the system is not coping with the crisis because the numbers keep rising.
Those who lose their home through eviction can be accommodated on a temporary basis, even if in hotels, B&Bs, or family hubs. Unfortunately, they will not have a long-term home until the social housing programme reaches the level required to meet their needs, or more rental stock comes on the market. What is more problematic is those living longterm on the streets.
In Dublin, 10 people work in ‘Housing First’ intake teams from 7am to 1am every day. Two more will be assigned from early December. Their job is to engage with people living on the street, and they have access to information around the different services available, including accommodation, food, language services and other supports.
“It doesn’t stop there,” a source said. “Homelessness is complicated. Some people aren’t comfortable engaging with services or the system. They might come in one day and you might not see them again, but at least that’s a start. The concern [with relying on voluntary groups] is they might be missing an opportunity to engage with the professional services.”
The Dublin Regional Homelessness Executive funds around 90 services that provide accommodation, food and other supports. Services are regulated, and have to be of a certain standard. “The voluntary network are not necessarily bound by that”, one source said.
Clearly there are issues with existing services. If the State provides accommodation, it should be safe, and people should not be afraid of going to sleep for fear of being robbed. We’re playing catch-up, because only lately is the State making a concerted effort to tackle the problem, and it’s still not enough.
And while any help in tackling this crisis should be welcomed, voluntary groups cannot replace experts. Sometimes, it’s not the message, but the manner in which it is delivered.