Environment Minister Alan Kelly has announced that he is determined to end the scourge of involuntary homelessness by the end of 2016.

Minister Kelly made the announcement during a visit to Trust Homeless Services on Monday.

Dublin City Council (DCC) has recently identified in excess of 100 houses for purchase and 100 for leasing. This is in addition to the 100 specifically for homeless people from an overall figure of 521 approved to Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) in July this year.

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Also, the latest figures from DCC indicate that 73 units are in the process of being acquired for homeless households, while offers have been made on a further 46. To date, almost 700 units of accommodation have been inspected by DCC in their efforts to find suitable units for purchase and the work is ongoing.

Minister Kelly said :"This government has committed huge resources to this end and we are beginning to see the fruits of that commitment. I am today urging local authorities and all housing stakeholders to continue their invaluable work in this area."

(CD)