Over 20 people in temporary emergency accommodation in Leitrim
Leitrim County Council has heard calls for a new staffed temporary emergency accommodation hub in Manorhamilton amid limited local options for people experiencing homelessness.
23 people in Leitrim are currently availing of temporary emergency accommodation, a meeting of Leitrim County Council has heard.
Cllr Eddie Mitchell proposed a motion seeking the Council to approve in principle the establishment of a staffed temporary emergency accommodation hub in Manorhamilton.
Cllr Mitchell told the meeting that there is no emergency accommodation service available in North Leitrim, and people are having to travel long distances to avail of services elsewhere, noting Manorhamilton would be a good place for such a service.
His motion was supported by a number of councillors, including Cllr Brendan Barry who noted, “We do need more emergency accommodation in Leitrim. It’s important they can get support and services they need to try to get over whatever issues they have to find a more secure home for themselves in the future.”
There are currently three emergency accommodation providers in the county. Of the 23 people availing of emergency accommodation, they are made up of 10 single adults, one couple, four parents with one child and one parent with two children. A Council reply said it is envisaged that a number of these individuals and families will move to alternative housing in the coming months as a significant number of social housing units are in progress and scheduled for delivery in Q4 2025.
The Council’s housing department will soon seek Expressions of Interest from owners of suitable properties that can specifically accommodate both individuals and family units for temporary emergency housing.
The department is also “developing the scope” of an Expression of Interest for provision of wraparound services from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and/or Approved Housing Bodies who have the capacity to provide support services for families or individuals that are in homelessness situations.
Director of Services for Housing, Mary Quinn, explained that Leitrim County Council doesn’t have the expertise or staff in terms of setting up a facility so they would be relying on NGOs or voluntary housing bodies for their assistance, and noted that wraparound services are critical in these scenarios to help people get on a path to a sustainable housing situation.