Number of people in emergency accommodation in Waterford the same as 2016 figure
The issue was raised by Cllr Joe Kelly at the July plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council
The number of people in emergency accommodation in County Waterford is the same as the 2016 figure, a council meeting has heard.
The issue was raised by independent councillor Joe Kelly at the July plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.
Cllr Kelly said: “We have 170 people in homeless accommodation including 54 children.
“Of course, that doesn’t include the hidden homeless such as people sofa surfing, sharing an odd night here and there with friends or adults living in their parents house much longer than they should be.
“I’m just wondering, have we any plans specific to Waterford that might address that 170 people in the shorter term rather than the longer term?
“Have we any initiatives that might take some of that 170 out of emergency accommodation and into some other maybe perhaps more permanent accommodation?”
In response, Director of Services Seamus De Faoite outlined how the stats compare to those of a decade ago.
Mr De Faoite said: “Believe it or not, we’re actually in the same place now as we were 10 years ago in relation to the numbers that were actually in emergency accommodation.
“So when you look at population increases and everything else, there’s actually probably less people in emergency accommodation.
“Is there a bigger housing crisis here now? Are there more issues, are there more people who are forced to stay at home?
“Probably, yes but in relation to access to emergency accommodation, I thought it was an interesting stat just to see that.”
He highlighted how Waterford compares to its neighbouring counties and the country as a whole when it comes to such figures.
“While the national figure has increased, that is not the case with Waterford.
“The other important point to note as well is that in the past month, even though we’re the only city in the south east, we’re no longer the highest number of homeless people.
“Again, I’m not saying for a minute that we haven’t got a problem in Waterford, but I’m saying that we are making progress.
“What I will say also is that a lot of people that are accessing emergency accommodation, housing is only part of the issue.
“They have other needs, they’ve other services and again, it’s important that those wrap-around services are there for them.”
He concluded by improving its emergency accommodation facilities by moving people from the Sands Hotel in Tramore back into the city.