.
The NOVAS Initiative-run Arlington Lodge.
THERE were almost 300 cases of homeless people using emergency accommodation in Kerry in 2014, while this year to date there have been 183 cases.
The figures were revealed in a report on Homeless Services in Kerry presented by J0hn Breen, Director of Services in Kerry County Council at the monthly meeting on Monday.
There were 297 cases booked to emergency accommodation in 2014, this was made up of 244 individual clients which represented a 20% repeat presentation rate.
Continued below…
.
There were 651 visits to the Homeless Information Centre in Denny Street seeking advice, assistance and some needing accommodation, a large number of these were individuals presenting on a number of occasions.
This year to date, there were 183 cases booked to emergency accommodation made upon 152 individual clients, which represented a 20% repeat presentation rate.
Bed and breakfast accommodation provided a solution for in 53 cases, while in 130 cases hostels were used.
There have been 507 visits to the Homeless Information Centre in 2015, while 14 families have been accommodated to date and 68% of people moved on from emergency accommodation within six weeks.
The report stated people presenting often have complex needs and there are many very difficult cases.
In the report, Mr Breen outlined the services the Council operates around the county to cater for homeless cases.
There is a budget of €911,444 for costs of running the Kerry Homeless Service in 2015, €687,000 of this is recoupable from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
In terms of accommodation in Kerry, the report listed the following:
• The NOVAS-operated Homeless hostel, Arlington Lodge on Church Street, Tralee – 14 beds mixed wet/dry hostel.
• Knocklee House, a seven-bed dry hostel, high support, short-term use.
• Low-Support and transitional accommodation in Tralee, also run by NOVAS, in two locations with 10 beds.
• Market Court, Tralee – four apartments, low support
• A hostel in Killarney for single people
• Emergency B&B accommodation as required
• Assistance offered in terms of securing private rented accommodation
• Adapt Women’s Refuge, Tralee
• Family accommodation in Killarney
