Addressing Homelessness in Ireland: A Strategy for Effective Data and Policy Implementation

1. Ireland “Homelessness Strategy and Data: A Two-way Process” Denis Conlan & Marie Falvey Housing Division Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.

2. Part 1Background - economy, housing market, homelessnessGDP - actual & forecast

3. House building as % GDP

4. Public Finances – surplus to deficit

5. Homelessness Trends Dublin Homeless (“Counted In” survey) as % of population Gross count • 2008: 0.5% • 2005: 0.5% Excluding long-term & transitional accommodation • 2008: 0.3% • 2005: 0.3% Rough sleepers • 2009: 98 • 2008: 110 (0.009%) • 2005: 185 (0.016%)

6. 2009 homeless fundingaccommodation related • +5.3% nominal • + 29% weighted (relative to all housing funding) • 4% of housing funding (3% 2008)

7. Homelessness Policy • Homeless Strategy –August 2008 • National Implementation Plan - April 2009 • New model of Dublin Homeless Services - June 2009 • New Legislation – July 2009: Homeless Fora and Action Plans • New “SLI” scheme (Support to Live Independently) - July 2009

8. Part 2 – Strategy and Data a two-way process • Data key to policy, services, monitoring • Progress reports on implementation of strategy • Strategic approach to data • National Implementation Plan – Data and Information Strategy

9. Homelessness DataKey developments and issues • MPHASIS –focus on data, timely in Irish context • Current developments in Ireland: • Homeless Counts • Assessment Criteria • National Client Database • Census enumeration

10. Homeless Counts“Counted In” • Special purpose homeless count • Very inclusive • In Dublin since 1999 • 3 further cities in 2008 • 3-yearly; annual counts in 2009 and 2010

11. “Housing Needs Assessment”homeless category • Part of overall social housing needs • Homelessness a category of social housing need • Only includes those suited to standard social housing options • 2.5% of social housing needs due to homelessness in 2008 (4.6% in 2005)

12. “HNA” v “Counted In” • Different figures – misunderstandings • Different purposes of each survey • Scope for more reconciliation and convergence • Changes to HNA - legislation

13. Homelessness assessment criteria • Application of statutory definition of homelessness being examined • Paper on assessment criteria in Dublin to promote consistency • Consider application nationally

14. National Client Database • New system following review of LINK: less detail, service provider data export, regional application • New system in Dublin in 2010 • Next phase – national roll out

15. National census of population 2011 • Enhanced coverage of homeless in 2011 census • Apply methodologies in Counted In and rough sleeper counts – maximise consistency • Take account of reconfiguration of services

16. Local/regional focus • Homelessness Action Plans to be informed by data/evidence review • Monitoring and reporting process - Service providers to Homeless Forum • Forum to local authority • local authority to Department • Department to CDT, Senior Officials Group, Cabinet Committee, Parliament

17. Future data priorities • Homeless Counts: • further refinement • assessment criteria guidelines • Census 2011 homeless data • New client database • national roll out • full participation of all services • quality data, user friendly system, training, etc

18. Future Data Priorities • Quality of information for policy, funding and services • data on use of homeless services • identification of homeless using mainstream services • accurate identification of needs • those in long term accommodation not classified homeless • Homeless Strategy implementation • local Action Plans – data quality • monitoring and reporting