Homeless families offered support

A NEW awareness campaign aimed at preventing families in Dublin becoming homeless was launched last week.

The main objective of the campaign, put in place by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive on behalf of the city’s four local authorities, is to encourage families who are renting and worried about losing their home to call a free phone number for advice and assistance.

Director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, Cathal Morgan, urged families under threat of homelessness to call the number on 1800-454454 sooner rather than later.

“It is critical that families contact this dedicated service for support as soon as they realise that their tenancy may be at risk,

? he said.

“We are working to try and ensure that families can get as much information and support as they need in order to be able to retain their homes in the private rented market.

?

The phone number is being manned by national housing charity, Threshold, which will play a lead role in supporting families at risk of homelessness as part of the new campaign.

Chairperson Senator Aid­een Hayden said it was essential that all stakeholders worked together to ensure vulnerable families are supported before they fall into homelessness.

“Two of the key pillars of this campaign are the provision of a free telephone helpline for families at risk of homelessness and an agreement that all relevant stakeholders will work together to intervene in cases where families in receipt of rent supplement are in danger of losing their homes,

? she said.

“Threshold will lead both of these aspects of the campaign.

?

Families who call the phone number for help will be assessed and intervention will take place within a 24 hour period of initial contact. Their case will then be referred to an appropriate service for ongoing support, if required.

If there is a dispute between tenant and landlord, the case will be referred to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) for action.

A new protocol arrangement between the four Dublin local authorities, Threshold and the Department of Social Protection has also been introduced to provide a speedy intervention to prevent families in private rented accommodation and in receipt of rent supplement from losing their homes.