North West Homeless Action Plan 2023-2028
The previous North-West Regional Homelessness Action Plan expired in 2018 and the new Plan was approved by the County Councils of Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim in March 2023 in line with guidance issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The 2023-28 Action Plan was developed by the North-West Joint Homelessness Forum and Management Groups. Sligo County Council is lead authority for the North-West, comprising Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal County Councils.
The Department guidance called for Regional Homelessness Action Plans to “reflect the policy positions and actions contained in Housing For All“, which was published in September 2021.
Amongst the pathways contained in Housing for All is the Pathway to Eradicating Homelessness, increasing Social Housing Delivery and Supporting Social Inclusion. This pathway is underpinned by a range of actions to address homelessness with an ultimate goal of working to end homelessness by 2030.
In order to reflect and respond to the changed landscape of housing and homelessness in the North-West Region since 2018, in which there has been a 73% increase in the number of homeless families in County Sligo and a 28% increase in the number of households on the Sligo County Council housing list since 2017, the below strategic aims are set down in the Action Plan.
Strategic Aims of the Homelessness Action Plan
- Prevention of Homelessness – by early intervention, advice and information, tenancy support, supported housing, targeted supports for vulnerable groups;
- Protecting Homeless People – suitable emergency accommodation for all, assessment and case management services, support for rough sleepers, supporting the health needs of homeless people, access to social and welfare services;
- Progression to long term housing – reducing obstacles to moving on from emergency accommodation, identify housing solutions, supported or transitional accommodation, care and supports in long term accommodation, incentives for landlords and housing providers.
- Governance – are management groups representative and functional, monitoring and procurement of services and funding.
Please see the full Action Plan below:
