Young people could be asked to share social housing in a bid to ease youth homelessness.
The plan is part of the new Youth Homelessness Strategy going before Cabinet today.
The strategy has three aims:
- Keeping young people out of homelessness
- Improving standards of emergency accommodation
- Helping people find a home
Last month, the Government’s official homeless figures hit new record highs for the third month in a row.
Nearly one-in-five of the 10,975 people in emergency accommodation were aged between 18 and 24-years-old.
The new Youth Homelessness Strategy was developed following consultation with several stakeholders – including young people who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.
Shared housing
One of the commitments in the plan is a new pilot scheme that would see social housing used as shared accommodation for young people.
The plan also includes commitments to strengthen supports for young people leaving care and members of the Traveling community.
There will also be funding for a new awareness campaign that will inform young people about the supports available to them.
Homeless
The last Homeless Report found that there were 7,633 families access emergency accommodation in September, including 3,342 children.
The Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said the situation was “very challenging” while homeless charities said it was “shocking” and “saddening”.
Additional reporting from Michael Staines.
