An end to homelessness in Ireland is now a "tangible prospect", a prominent homeless charity said today.
Publishing its strategic plan, the Simon Communities of Ireland said that an end to people sleeping rough and long-term stays in emergency accommodation could be achieved.
Anne Connolly, Simon Community
Anne Connolly, chair of the Simon Community of Ireland, said: "We have reached a point where we can move away from managing the problem of homelessness, to finding a solution. Homelessness can be ended once and for all; this is the endgame."
"The past five years have seen a substantial increase in funding for homeless services, and improvements in the quality and range of services.
"However, our concern is that the numbers still sleeping in emergency accommodation remain stubbornly high and we must prioritise providing sufficient suitable and secure move-on houses."
Simon claims the provision of high-quality private rented accommodation - with a support worker - would cost €12,000 per year.
It says the average cost of hospital psychiatric care is €120,000 per annum, but to provide the same person with supported housing in a community environment would cost €40,000.
"Since our foundation in 1969, we have been dealing in a crisis-environment. Our main concern was to get as many people off the streets at night as possible. Shelters and hostels were essential stopgap measures. Until recently, we have not been in a position to develop and implement lasting solutions to homelessness," Ms Connolly said.
Simon's new strategy says it will quantify housing need by ensuring all those who use its services have an individual assessment.
The charity said it would also seek changes in policy and in the law to deliver housing for those who are homeless.
"Ending homelessness could be a reality for whatever party or coalition makes up the next government. To achieve this, a commitment to ending long-term stays in emergency accommodation is critical," Ms Connolly said.