Housing First Initiative

Local authorities may provide accommodation and support to those who are sleeping rough.

Housing First is a housing-led approach that enables people with a history of rough sleeping or long-term use of emergency accommodation, and with complex needs, to obtain permanent secure accommodation, with the provision of intensive supports to help them to maintain their tenancies.

The National Implementation Plan now provides for the creation of over 1,300 Housing First tenancies over the period 2022 to 2026. The targets are based on an analysis of need, which involved all key stakeholders and was supported by The Housing Agency.

In Carlow, the Local Authority works in partnership with Focus Ireland to source and identify property and referral to the Housing First programme are made through the Homeless Team and partner agencies involved in the provision of Homeless Services in Carlow. Any person considered for Housing Forst must be qualified for social housing supports.