The government is to spend €25m addressing the homeless crisis in Dublin, introducing measures including 260 additional beds, and a night cafe.

The government has announced details of the 20 point Action Plan on Homelessness that aims to tackle homelessness in Dublin.

Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly is directing all four Dublin housing authorities to allocate 50 per cent of all housing allocations to homeless households and other vulnerable groups over the next six months. The aim is that this will provide housing for 500 people.

Mr Kelly says he is determined to address the homeless crisis as a matter of urgency:

“The strategy is approximately worth €25m but that’s irrelevant to be honest, doesn’t matter to me if it cost more. It’s not about money, it never was. It was about ensuring we did everything we could to help people who were homeless or potentially in vulnerable situations who could become homeless.”

Some of the main points in the plan are:

• 260 additional emergency beds will be provided for people sleeping rough.
• A night cafe will be opened as a contact point for homeless people who don't want to stay in the emergency accommodation being provided.
• - Transport with support services for those sleeping rough. Provided with immediate effect, this will transport homeless people to temporary accommodation and provide them with necessary health and care supports in conjunction with other state providers. If a homeless person does not want to take accommodation the ‘Housing First’ street team will direct them to the Nite Cafe, if they wish to use that service.
• The purchase of a NAMA controlled hotel to provide accommodation and the opening of an assessment centre for homeless families.