‘Ad hoc system’ sending those leaving direct provision straight into homelessness

“[This is] one of the major challenges facing the incoming Government, and one that went entirely unmentioned in the election period, with no party bringing forward ideas for a functioning system or a lasting solution to the issue,” he said.

According to the Department of Housing statistics, 179 single adults became homeless in Dublin as they left direct provision in the third quarter of this year. A further nine families also became homeless upon leaving direct provision. This was overwhelmingly focused on Dublin with similar trends not seen in other parts of the country.

Previously, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said he had “concerns” about asylum seekers who have secured the status to remain in the country going from direct provision into homeless accommodation.

In February, the Irish Times reported that senior officials at the Departments of Housing and Integration had clashed on the issue while Mr O’Brien said the latter department needed to “work hard” on their exit strategy when people are leaving direct provision.

Mr Allen said that instead of a cross-government strategy for such persons, a policy has emerged of offering people in direct provision entirely unsuitable alternative accommodation, often in tents in areas which are remote to their employment or where their children are in school.

“When people do not take up these offers, they find that they are refused emergency homeless accommodation by local authorities on the basis that they have ‘alternative accommodation’ that they can take up,” he said.

It then takes up a lot of time by homeless organisations, pro-bono lawyers and volunteers to advocate for the household in direct provision so that their rights are recognised by the local authorities.

“At the heart of the problem is the failure of Department of Housing, and the Government more widely, to recognise that those who have been granted asylum but are unable to find a home of their own need to be included in measure to tackle the housing crisis and homelessness.” 

Separately, in Dublin, the Department of Housing figures show that 76 families presented as homeless in the third quarter having faced a no-fault eviction. The Government was heavily criticised for its move to lift the ban on no-fault evictions last year.

A further 38 single adults also became homeless after a no-fault eviction in Dublin during this time.

Meanwhile, 19 families in Dublin became homeless after leaving a refuge while a further 42 entered emergency accommodation due to a breakdown with a partner or parent.

Across Cork and Kerry, 39 families became homeless in the third quarter of this year along with 120 single adults. Of these 39 families, 15 entered emergency accommodation due to a no-fault eviction.

In their manifestos, both Labour and the Social Democrats both vowed to end no-fault evictions if in Government. While both parties are to engage with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael next week, it may well be the case that neither are in the next Government.