Two homeless shelters is not enough to meet demands in Donegal

There is an urgent need for more homeless shelters in Donegal due to crippling costs, it has been claimed.

Donegal currently only has two homeless shelters, in Letterkenny and Bundoran, which house 43 adults and four families according to figures released in April.

Letterkenny-based Cllr Gerry McMonagle introduced the issue at the June plenary meeting of Donegal County Council, saying that the current situation is not suitable.

“Taking people from say Inishowen and putting them in Letterkenny, or Bundoran for that matter, it just doesn’t work,” the Sinn Féin councillor said. “I know we have the place finder team and they’re doing great work, but the rents are so high. People just can’t afford the private market.”

Buncrana-based Cllr Joy Beard says the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) - a local authority-provided social housing scheme that works for landlords, agents and tenants - is not working.

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“We need homeless centres in different locations,” the 100% Redress councillor said. “In Inishowen, we’re sending people to Bundoran and Letterkenny. We all know the housing figures are going to increase, let’s face it. There are unjustifiable rents.

“Families are on their knees just trying to pay the basic bills. Anyone that is available for HAP, it’s not meeting the needs for rent. So they need to stay in communities, anyone in that unfortunate situation where they find themselves homeless needs the support.”

Cllr Michael McMahon, who is based in Bundoran, stressed the need for adequate addiction services at the Bundoran shelter.

“I would be suggesting that we get in touch with the HSE - who seem to be just dragging their feet on this - and help these people,” the Sinn Féin councillor said.

Responding to concerns, Mr Eamonn Brown, Divisional Manager, Housing & Corporate said that members did endorse the homeless action plan, which is in its “early days of implementation”. 

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“It’s a very challenging area to be working in, not just locally but nationally,” he said. “The figures are increasing and we probably could debate for quite an extensive time the definition of homelessness, in terms of people couch surfing or sleeping in cars, or maybe rough sleeping who don’t want to engage in any facilities.”

He told councillors that the housing clinics in each of the MD areas in Donegal provide supports to those at risk of becoming homeless.

On the homeless shelters being located in Letterkenny and Bundoran, Mr Brown said: “We are open to other facilities across the county and we would welcome information on those.

“The homeless prevention officer has been out looking at properties. Some of those are of a poor standard and that’s not something we want to get into.”

In the current facilities, there is supervision from 9am until 9pm and clients are permitted to stay during the day, as opposed to shelters in other locations.

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Mr Brown said that Donegal County Council is committed to better outcomes for homeless people in the county.