Housing boost as €1.5m pledged to support Waterford families out of emergency accommodation

Waterford families living in emergency accommodation are set to benefit from a major housing boost, after €1.5 million in targeted funding was allocated to Waterford City and County Council.

The money will be used to help families move out of temporary emergency settings and into secure, long-term homes.

The allocation is part of a new €50 million national initiative unveiled by Housing Minister James Browne, which is focused on supporting larger families with children and long-term Housing First clients to exit homelessness.

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Waterford is one of just eight city and county councils to receive dedicated funding under the measure.

Waterford TD and Minister of State, John Cummins, said the funding will make a real difference for local families: "Behind every homeless statistic is an individual or family, often with children, doing their best in very difficult circumstances.

"This additional €1.5m allocation to Waterford City and County Council will be directed specifically towards helping families to transition out of emergency accommodation and into secure and long-term homes."

The money will be drawn down through the Government's Second Hand Acquisitions Programme, which allows local authorities to purchase homes to meet urgent housing needs.

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Waterford Council has already drawn down more than €5.4 million from the scheme to date, which also supports the tenant-in-situ programme.

Nationally, Minister Browne said that the €50 million would be "swiftly and specifically targeted" to assist families who have been residing in emergency accommodation for extended periods, with a particular focus on acquiring four-bedroom homes for larger households.