An action plan aimed at eliminating homelessness in Dublin by 2010 was unveiled today by the Homeless Agency Partnership.
There are at least 5,000 people homeless in Ireland at any one time, with over 2,000 of them in Dublin, according to the plan from the organisation entitled A Key to the Door.
It aims to put initiatives in place to prevent people from becoming homeless; to provide services in local areas to address the accommodation, housing, health and other relevant needs of people who are homeless; and to provide sufficient long-term housing for people who do become homeless.
The plan aims to identify people at risk of homelessness and intervene with a co-ordinated multiagency approach, and ensure access to health and other crucial services for those at risk.
Ms Kathleen Holohan, chairwoman of the board of the Homeless Agency, said homelessness in Dublin had changed considerably since the first action plan six years ago.
"We have seen significant improvements in the quality and range of services provided for people who are homeless. A Key to the Doorwill ensure that we move ahead from improvements in how we deliver homeless services and towards eliminating long-term homelessness and the need for people to sleep rough in Dublin," she said.
Noel Ahern, Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, welcomed the action plan and said it was an important step.
"It represents the type of comprehensive and co-ordinated response, which is needed to address complex social issues, such as homelessness," he said.
"It is also evident that the statutory and voluntary sectors can work effectively together to develop and implement strategies to address what are often very difficult issues."
Homeless charity Focus Ireland welcomed the action plan but warned of the immense challenge involved in making it work.
"It will require significantly increasing access to housing and also bridging the gap between housing and support services if we are to effectively prevent people becoming, remaining or returning to homelessness," chief executive Declan Jones added.
A Key to the Door
is the third action plan on homelessness in Dublin and will cover the period 2007-2010.