A new homeless action plan for Dublin has called for more attention to the problem of foreign-born people in need of services.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive says 21% of the new families presenting as homeless last year were non-EU citizens.

The report said that non-EU families present a significant challenge, as some are here illegally or awaiting residency status.

It said there was a lack of clarity over their access to housing and support services.

The report called for a new policy to be drawn up between State agencies so that the needs of this group can be addressed.

It said street work services should target migrant groups, which now constitute a significant proportion of rough sleepers.

It also says that cultural diversity training and language support services will be provided.

Other groups requiring particular attention are young people leaving care, prison discharges, former drug users and hospital discharge of homeless services.

The report points out that the Dublin area accounts for 68% of the current national homeless population.

The number of homeless families increased by 58% in the two years between March 2016 and March 2018 alone.

Overall, the total number of homeless adults and children in Dublin increased from 4,300 adults and children to a total of 6,887 during the same period.



