Rough sleeping 'a choice' in Laois as homelessness elimination plan approved

Laois County Council is trying to end homelessness in the county by 2030, while one councillor saying anyone sleeping on the Laois streets does it "by choice".

While 30 people declared themselves homeless in Laois in May, and 38 were in emergency accommodation, the council says it is working to eliminate homelessness within five years.

Fionnuala Daly is the social worker in Laois County Council's housing section.

"We have a policy to eliminate homelessness by 2030. The causes are complex; economic hardship, mental health, addiction, domestic violence and the shortage of affordable housing," she said.

Their plan includes building new houses, improving supports and prevention, and cooperating with the HSE, Mental Health and Disability Services, Addiction Services, Laois Domestic Abuse Service and TUSLA.  

Ms Daly presented a new draft four county Midlands plan to councillors at the May council meeting.

They give emergency accommodation to rough sleepers, homeless youths, vulnerable groups such as Travellers, people who are given notices to quit rental properties, who are in family disputes, and those exiting foster care or prison.

"They can be in emergency accommodation from anything from one night to six months," Ms Daly said.

They also help anyone in private accommodation facing eviction, to find a place to rent.

There is no homeless hostel in Laois, but there are in Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. Midlands Simon and the Peter McVerry Trust have 27 supported houses between them in Laois for homeless people. 

Portlaoise Convent under reconstruction, set to accommodate social apartments. 

Laois spent the second lowest out of the four counties on homelessness accommodation, at €894,000 in 2024, with Longford the lowest. Westmeath spent the most at €2.73m.

"We are at the lowest because we don't have hostels. We spent €6m in the Midlands region, that's low in comparison to Dublin at €50m. We rely either on B&Bs or regional shelters. Laois County Council do not tend to put families outside the county," Ms Daly said.

Rather than rent private B&Bs, Cllr Aisling Moran suggests they buy a building for a homeless shelter.

Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh said he "somewhat supports" her idea.

"In general we're doing a great job, you don't see any evidence of people on the street," he said.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paschal McEvoy says Laois people make a choice if they sleep on the street.

"In fairness we all come across situations where people have to move, but once they come to the homeless section they are dealt with quickly. You never see anyone on the street in Laois. If you do, it's by choice. They are given every opportunity to get off the street," he claimed.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said that single people living in three bedroom social houses should "have to downsize".

"They should be asked to go into a one bedroom property," she said.

Later in the meeting, she clarified that she means older tenants who bought out their council house and wish to downsize.

Cllr Paddy Bracken asked if people are coming from other counties to present as homeless in Laois.

"We all know the great work being done and houses being built in Laois. Thankfully the figures in Laois are not as bad as other counties," he said.

Ms Daly said there would be "obviously legal issues with forcing people to leave a tenancy" in a house too large for their needs.

She said that a new national policy is being created so people can only present as homeless in their "own counties".

Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey said they are focusing on building 1 and 2 bedroom social homes.

Read also: Rising Laois rents reach average of €1,259

"This reflects demand and the opportunity to move from 3 and 4 bedroom homes, it's a win win for everyone. The convent project in Portlaoise is a really good example. There will be a few people taking accommodation in the convent as a result of rightsizing," he said.

The draft Homelessness Action Plan covers Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford. Over the four counties, there were 172 homeless people and families in May.  Last December that figure was up at 207, with 151 being Irish citizens, 24 from the EU, and 15 from outside the EU. It included 41 families. Over half of them were aged between 25 and 44.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy proposed the approval of the draft plan.