Focus Ireland and Threshold have called for the government to set a new deadline of 2013 to end long-term homelessness and the need to sleep rough at a seminar in Dublin held by the two organisations to mark World Homeless Day.

The two leading homeless charities said the previous target of 2010 was not met, mainly because of the failure to provide the housing vital to move people out of homelessness.

The charities maintained that increasing access to housing and taking steps to offer greater security of tenure for the most vulnerable households are the key issues to be addressed, to combat and prevent homelessness nationwide.

The joint seminar was held to explore the implications on homeless policy of the Government’s new Housing Policy Statement, published by Minister for Housing Willie Penrose in June. This sets out radical changes in how social housing will be delivered.

A range of speakers discussed the implications for tackling homelessness and the two charities said they hope the event will help progress the ongoing constructive dialogue to address the new challenges faced in housing policy.

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Both Focus Ireland and Threshold welcomed the clarity of the recent housing policy statement and the fact that it signals, for the first time, a move away from home ownership as being the 'top tier' of housing policy, in favour of more diversified options.

The charities also noted the implication in the policy that the new Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) scheme and the private rental sector will be the main sources of such housing in the foreseeable future.

The seminar was held at the Mansion House in Dublin and was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Andrew Montague.

Speaking at the seminar Minister for Housing and Planning at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Willie Penrose, T.D said: "As a Government, we share the belief that prevention is better than cure.

"We are determined to re-orientate our policies to ensure that homelessness is tackled in a more planned and strategic way – to providing housing and resettlement solutions and supports rather than managing people in long term homeless facilities.

"We must strive to foster a culture that promotes independent living, with supports for those who need them. There is no single solution to increasing the level of social housing supply and flexible and diverse approaches will be required. Maximising delivery from all available sources will be essential to prevent homelessness and end long-term occupation of emergency facilities."

There are currently up to 5,000 people homeless in Ireland with a small number sleeping rough and the vast majority staying in emergency accommodation such as hostels. Latest figures show nearly 100,000 households on social housing waiting lists nationwide.

(CD)