Ms Tríona O'Connor:

My name is Tríona O'Connor and I am currently the project leader with Focus Ireland in Limerick. We cover Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary, but I am here today in my capacity as the chairperson of the Limerick Homeless Alliance and the Clare Homeless Alliance. Both are separate alliances which meet separately in Limerick and Clare, and I happen to have the job of chairing both.

The Limerick Homeless Alliance and the Clare Homeless Alliance welcome the establishment of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness and its short, focused approach to identifying solutions to a crisis that is impacting on so many families and individuals. We really appreciate the opportunity to speak today.

Homelessness is a complex problem with both economic and social causes. It is frequently about much more than a housing problem but it always includes a housing problem. Every exit from homelessness requires a house. Other supports are often needed, but housing is paramount. This submission takes its lead from the committee's agenda and therefore concentrates on housing. It is important to note that in order for homelessness to be effectively tackled, a broad range of measures are needed. Just as there is recognition that the current crisis results from a lack of investment in housing, it also needs to be recognised that the lack of investment in social infrastructure, such as mental health, social work and so on, must also be reversed if we are to truly solve the problem.

Addressing homelessness requires a sustained commitment, strong principles and a clear vision of what is needed by families, communities and the society. In its short lifespan, this committee cannot solve the full range of problems. However, we hope that it can help to establish such principles across the political spectrum in order to sustain longer-term policy-making. The submission concentrates on measures that can and must be initiated immediately, but in some cases their impact will be immediate and in others it will take time to come into effect.

The Homeless Alliance in Clare and Limerick is made up of all voluntary organisations in the area. About 12 different organisations are involved in providing services in the Limerick city and county region, and in Clare it is made up of 14 organisations, both statutory and voluntary. The alliances and all the organisations that are around the table are there to prevent single people and families from becoming homeless but also to support exits from homelessness. Some of the barriers and solutions that we felt were relevant to name today - and we go into much more detail in the submission - are the same as those to which my colleagues have referred already. The lack of housing supply, particularly affordable housing, is definitely a major barrier for the people with whom we work in the mid-west region. Others are the rapidly rising rents, over-reliance on the private rental market and insufficient rent supplement levels. We also feel that the HAPs need to be reviewed. There is a serious lack of one-bedroom accommodation nationwide.

On 26 April, five one-bedroom units were available in Limerick city, the rent for which was between €500 and €650 while the rent supplement cap is €375.

Insufficient capital funding results in fewer approved housing bodies providing housing units. There is a disproportionate burden of financial risk on the approved housing bodies which, depending on their size, is a disincentive to their developing social housing units. The reduced social welfare payments to those aged under 25 is also a barrier. There is a huge increase in youth homelessness at present. According to the current statistics, more than 50% of people accessing hostel accommodation in Limerick and Clare are 30 years of age and under. This is a frightening statistic.

Some of the solutions we believe are relevant include a wide-scale long-term social housing building programme which, as my colleagues have said, is key. There should be a partnership approach between the State and the approved housing bodies. Front-loading accelerated capital advance leasing facility payments would enhance the ability of approved housing bodies to provide social housing by freeing up cashflow. There needs to be an extension of homeless housing assistance payments outside Dublin and Cork. It is not available anywhere else and is definitely needed in the mid-west. There needs to be an increase in rent supplement as a preventative measure to keep families and individuals in their homes. The statistics on one-bedroom apartments are relevant in this regard. There is a need to recognise prevention in the Housing Act and amend section 10 in order that people can be resourced adequately to provide preventative strategies. Rent regulation should be implemented and linked to the consumer price index, and this has been mentioned. There should be a speedier turnaround of vacant social housing units. As has been stated, it can take up to 12 months for a housing unit to become available. This is not acceptable during the biggest housing crisis we have had. More social housing should be made available throughout the country to Housing First and other housing-led projects. We need to restore to their previous level the reduced social welfare payments to those aged under 26 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We need to recognise in the Constitution the right to a home. We need to recognise the increase in youth homelessness as a very real issue nationwide. We need better land management by the Government to prevent hoarding by NAMA and developers in areas where housing is most required, and this should include a national register of sites.