Kildare families should be included in housing plan
A plan promoted by the government aimed at providing a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness should include families.
Housing First, as it’s known, is aimed at addressing the accommodation needs of homelessness for people experiencing mental health, physical health, substance misuse, social, behavioural, and other challenges.
Cllr Aoife Breslin told a Kildare County Council meeting that families may also have special needs or mental health issues and in some cases the problems faced by individuals facing homelessness mirrors the needs of families in the same situation.
Housing First is aimed at single people to exit homelessness. It offers access to a home, as well as access to person- centred, community-based, recovery-oriented visiting supports.
According to KCC, a number of families, mostly living in supported temporary accommodation, could benefit from a similar approach to Housing First - in particular wrap around supports that would assist them in transitioning from homelessness to sustaining a tenancy.
The council is currently supporting 83 households through its tenancy sustainment service, which encourages to develop independent living skills and tenancy skills.