Housing boost as €1.5m pledged to support Waterford families out of emergency accommodation
€50m national package to tackle long-term homelessness, with Waterford among eight local authorities chosen
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.
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.
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.