Tackling homelessness in Wicklow

WICKLOW County Council are part of the Housing First model which is being rolled across the Mid-East Region of Wicklow, Kildare and Meath.

Wicklow had its first client accommodated in December 2019, with a further client in January 2020. Other clients proposed for Housing First have been assessed by the team and are currently receiving relevant supports.

The Housing First model is a participant-centred approach that focuses on ending homelessness for people with high and complex needs who have been rough sleeping or using emergency homeless accommodation for long periods of time.

This is achieved by providing the individual with direct access to secure, independent housing without preconditions and this is accompanied by intensive wraparound housing and health supports.

Kildare County Council, as the lead authority for the Mid-East Region Homelessness Forum, with the local authorities of Meath and Wicklow, and in partnership with the Health Service Executive, has established a regional Housing First service.

Following a tender process, The Peter McVerry Trust was chosen to deliver Housing First across the Mid-East Region. The signing of the Housing First Service Level Agreement with The Peter McVerry Trust took place last week.

Pat Doyle, Chief Executive of the Peter McVerry Trust, stated that the service’s immediate focus is on an active settlement approach, utilising trauma-informed care which emphasises physical, psychological and emotional safety for the service user to assist them in rebuilding a sense of control and empowerment.

The overall outcome is that the person is progressed successfully and sustained out of homelessness and into an appropriate tenancy arrangement.

A priority intake list for Housing First will be jointly managed by the Local Authorities, the HSE and the Peter McVerry Trust. Ms. Ann O’Shea, Chief Officer of the Community Health Office serving Dublin South, Kildare and West-Wicklow stated that Housing First participants will be offered intensive, unlimited visiting support from a team capable of responding to a wide range of needs including alcohol and/or drug dependency, physical and mental health needs.