Homeless

Homeless Persons

Wicklow County Council together with the Town Councils of Wicklow, Arklow and Bray, in consultation with other agencies such as the Health Board and Community Development Agencies and voluntary bodies drew up an action plan for homelessness to ensure a co-ordinated approach to tackling the problems associated with homelessness.

Out of this a Homeless Forum was set up under the auspices of the Strategic Policy committee. The role of the Forum is to oversee the implementation of the action plan. Representatives from the local authorities, relevant health boards, community groups and voluntary groups make up the Forum. The Forum meets on a regular basis, normally every two months. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are to set up workshops to discuss and implement Homeless Strategies with the Forums.

A Homeless Officer has been appointed in the Housing Department to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to people who are homeless in the County.

Wicklow County Council and Bray Town Council are actively seeking a site or building for the provision of a hostel. In the meantime the Council has secured the retention of 20 beds in a private hostel in Rathdrum to facilitate the provision of emergency accommodation. Wicklow County Council and Bray Town Council are also actively seeking accommodation for families and single men.