Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
563. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated annual cost of providing a housing first tenancy, including the cost of wraparound health and social supports, to a single adult experiencing long-term homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45062/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex high support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).
Housing for All committed to the further expansion of Housing First. A new National Implementation Plan, which provides for a further 1,319 tenancies covering the period 2022-2026, was published in December 2021. These targets are based on an analysis of need, which involved all key stakeholders and was supported by The Housing Agency. The implementation of the Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the criminal justice sector (the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service) and Local Authorities, in conjunction with NGO partners. A key initiative under Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 is the further expansion of the Housing First programme to create 2,000 tenancies to help eliminate long term homelessness.
The cost of a Housing First tenancy is dependant on the individual circumstances of each Housing First client, e.g. the level of support required and where the tenancy is located. As a result, my Department does not hold the specific details requested.
