Over 70 families became homeless in south Dublin in May

There were 186 homeless families living in hotels, B&Bs and council-owned emergency accommodation in south Co Dublin’s administrative area at the end of May, local councillors were told last night.

In a series of reports on the housing situation presented to the monthly council meeting, staff said 73 new families had presented as homeless in May this year – more than two a day.

The council said it had a number of schemes under way in a bid to meet Government targets on housing.

These included 55 homes acquired during the past year on the open market or through part V of the Planning and Development Act.

Area of preference

The council said every effort was made to try and accommodate families in their area of preference but this was “not always possible in the majority of cases due to the pressure on the system”.

Council staff also told councillors of a scheme in which elderly tenants living alone in larger two-storey units could move to “step-down homes” in a dedicated supported environment close to facilities and services.