Ms Sinéad Breathnach:

I thank Senator Cummins. To answer his question on the repair and leasing scheme, anything that increases the supply line specifically for homelessness is more than welcome. In Waterford, there definitely has been a significant uptake in the repair and leasing. As a result, our stock and supply has increased, which has helped us to even eliminate the use of private emergency accommodation, and using our own properties and stock as own-front-door emergency accommodation in lieu of it. That is certainly welcome.

In relation to the best practice and the Housing Agency's casework at present, it is hitting on a few points there. One is in relation to the Waterford integrated homeless services which we operate here in Waterford. It is a local authority-led initiative but we operate in partnership with the HSE, with Focus Ireland and with South East Simon Community in addressing the needs of those who are homeless or those who are facing homelessness. We have combined our resources and expertise all under one roof in order that the client is coming in to nearly a one-stop-shop for homelessness here in Waterford. We have seen a significant uptake in the service, with approximately 3,600 households per year availing of it since we opened in early 2019.

Another initiative that the Housing Agency is looking at is the own-front-door model of emergency accommodation in lieu of the use of bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels. Something we as a region have prioritised over the past few years is the reduction of private emergency accommodation. That would not happen without the collaborative working between ourselves, the local authorities and the NGOs here in Waterford, particularly Focus Ireland and Tinteán Housing Association.