A new Action Plan to tackle the homelessness crisis was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly TD last week.

The plan commits €20 million ‘plus’ to a variety of initiatives including creating 260 additional emergency beds; providing 500 people with housing; and establishing a Nite Cafe for those who do not wish to enter emergency accommodation.

Minister Kelly said,“I made a commitment that every homeless person in Dublin who needs a bed or emergency accommodation will have one before Christmas but, if they choose otherwise, the new Nite Café will be available to them. This plan delivers on that commitment. It also puts in place medium term and longer term measures in response to issues highlighted by the special forum on homelessness.”

Joe O’Connor, organiser for IMPACT’s Boards & Voluntary Agencies branch welcomed the measures. “These measures are absolutely necessary given the scale of the short-term challenge.

“The longer term challenge requires direct Government intervention in the private rental market, and we’ve communicated this to the Government. It will require the introduction of some form of emergency rent controls, possibly linked to the CPI, and the upward review of rent supplement rates.

“All indicators suggest that rental prices are likely to continue to rise.  There is an urgent need for intervention now in order to halt the growing homelessness crisis” he said.