“We need more homeless beds in this town”
At the Municipal District of Drogheda meeting yesterday, Sinn Féin Councillor Joanna Byrne expressed her concern that Homeless Services in the County are at full capacity and homeless people are being turned away.
“I am aware that the two main sources of emergency accommodation in the county, Drogheda Homeless Aid and Dundalk Simon have been at full capacity over the past number of weeks with neither having a free bed come up at all in over a week” Cllr Byrne said.
Whilst she commended the homeless team for their endeavours in assisting those presenting as homeless and in particular, out of hours, the fact remains “that capacity must be increased.”
Councillor Byrne was advised that there are moves to increase capacity in Dundalk to serve the County but she implored the Council for balance.
“I’ve said it here before, whilst people are always thankful of any offer of assistance when they are in the depths of despair and presenting as homeless, there is a reluctance in Drogheda people to leave the town and avail of a bed in Dundalk, and vice versa.
“People are no doubt at their lowest ebb when facing this challenge and do not want to leave their support networks, whether that be family members, doctors, counsellors etc. Particularly if they don’t drive.
“We need more homeless beds in this town, to serve those in need in Drogheda.”
However, the Director of Services for Housing advised the meeting that the local authority are effectively managing the need for homeless services.
He suggested that the expected spike following the eviction ban being lifted hadn’t materialised and he re-iterated his confidence in the local authority be able to make provisions available for those who need it.
Councillor Byrne disagreed strongly with his evaluation saying: “If you’re managing the need for services so well, you tell me how I am dealing with a gentleman who was born and bred in Drogheda, presented as homeless last Tuesday and this Council has left him sleeping in his car since then due to no bed being available anywhere in this County.
“This was a man who had just been discharged from hospital on the same day as he presented. You need to accept the fact that capacity needs to be increased and additional beds provided in this town as a matter of urgency.
“This should be kept under review over the coming weeks and months until the reality of the eviction ban being lifted and its fallout becomes evident.”
