Louth council spending €1.1m on homelessness

LOCAL AUTHORITY FUNDING A RANGE OF STRATEGIES

LOUTH County Council have spent €1.1million on tackling homelessness across the county during 2016, the December meeting of the local authority heard yesterday (Monday).

Director of Services Joe McGuinness responded to concerns raised by members about the growing problem.

He confirmed the €1.1million had been spent across a range of agencies from the Simon Community to domestic violence charities. A total of 90% of that fund is recouped by the local authority from central funds.

Cllr. Conor Keelan asked about the recent rough sleeper count carried out across Louth.

Mr. McGuinness said the county had revealed no one sleeping rough in Drogheda, and one in Dundalk.

He said the council were ‘very well aware’ of the case in Dundalk.

In addition to this he said the issues were widely debated at the North East Homelessness forum, where it was acknowledged that ‘couch surfing’ is also a growing problem as people find themselves staying with others as they struggle to find a home.

He said the rise in homelessness cases presenting was a ‘new trend that has hit us this year.’

He added that the council has been finding emergency accommodation for many people, and indeed some families with young children, in hotels, hostels, B&B’s and guesthouses.

But the Director of Services admitted that in some cases hotels, B&B’s and others had ‘declined to take our business.’

He added ‘ that is entirely their decision.’

Cllr. Kenneth Flood said the ‘zero’ figure after the rough sleepers count in Drogheda was ‘false’ saying that many people found themselves in a void, where although they were not sleeping in doorways they didn’t have a home. He argued that the count should be well advertised before it is carried out, as people could then makes themselves known

Cllr. Tommy Byrne asked what the reasons where behind people finding themselves homeless.

Joe McGuinness said that the latest figures the local authority had were from 2013, but they indicated that 25% of cases were a result of addictions, 12% mental health issues, and 25% were as a result of domestic violence.

Cllr Peter Savage said the issues was ‘not just about who is lying in the street’ but about the overall approach being taken by government.

He said that as far back as 1990 Louth County Council had recommended special grants for vacant houses which could then be used to accommodate people and families needing a home. But he criticised the lack of response then, adding ‘If action had been taken then 26 years ago we might not be in the mess we are in today.’

Cllr. Frank Godfrey said that in Drogheda many people would be homeless, only for their mothers and fathers taking them in, adding that it can take decades to be housed.