Homeless figures double that of last year

THE homeless situation in Sligo is “increasingly becoming more serious” with the figures for Jan-March 2018 for total homeless presentations being double that of the same three months in 2017.

That’s according to the latest Monthly Management Report for March 2018 released at last week’s May Council meeting.

28 people joined the existing homeless figures from January to March this year. That’s in addition to the 74 people already on the homeless list, bringing the total up to 102 for that first quarter.

“This places huge pressure on the services, especially with regard to homeless families for whom the accommodation is limited to two emergency apartments,” the report said.

This accommodation remains full and there is a waiting list.

When these are full, emergency accommodation is found in hotels or B&Bs. The Council said they are liaising with service providers to increase the number of units available for homeless families.

There were four homeless families in B&B/hotels which illustrates the escalation in family homelessness during the first quarter of 2018.

The Council is waiting for funding approval from the Department of Local Government for the North West Region of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.

Some people identified as being capable of independent living from Maryville were moved to Ballytivnan.

For those identified as being capable of independent living from Shalomar some were moved to the independent apartments to the rear of the property.

Priority for the Council will be the ongoing implementation of their Homeless Action Plan with “an increased emphasis on prevention and resettlements supports.”

There are also ongoing fortnightly meetings of the Sligo Homeless Action Team to deal with homeless cases throughout the county.