1. I am homeless, what should I do?
You should contact your local council's housing department as soon as possible and register as homeless. You will be offered a place in Emergency Accommodation while the Local Authority assesses your housing need.
Contact details for the relevant department of Local Authorities can be found in our Useful Links section. You can also click on to Our Services for details of Focus Ireland. Details of other services are available by clicking on the Directory of Homeless Services
If you are outside of Dublin, we recommend you do not come to the capital. There may more homeless people than beds to house them so you could easily end up on the street.
2. How long will it take me to get a house somewhere permanent to live?
The length of time to get permanent accommodation after becoming homeless varies from situation to situation. The most important thing for you to do is to register with your Local Authority on the Homeless List. The Local Authority will then work with you to assess your housing need.
Focus Ireland can support you during this time by providing advice and working with the Local Authority on your behalf.
You can find details of the Local Authority in your area in our Useful Links You can also click on to Our Services for details of Focus Ireland services.
3. I am at risk of losing my home, what should I do?
If you are currently in accommodation it is best to do everything possible to keep it. Focus Ireland has a support service that can advise and support you to keep hold of your current accommodation. You can find details of these services in Our Services as well as details of other services to support you in our Directory of Homeless Services or in our Useful Links
4. Can Focus Ireland give me a house?
We work in partnership with the Local Authorities to provide housing to people who are homeless and who will need support to manage their home. It is important that you register on your Local Authority Homeless List so that you can be allocated housing and support that is suitable to your needs.
5. Can Focus Ireland give me money to help if I am in debt and at risk of losing my home?
Focus Ireland are not in a position to give provide direct financial assistance however we do provide a free food service, clothing and food packs for people who are rough people sleeping.
We work in partnership with a number of different services who can support you to address debt and financial management issues including Social Welfare, Community Welfare Services, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the Local Authorities.
6. Will I get social welfare payments if I am homeless?
If you applying for a social welfare payment having become homeless there will be a period of time before you are assessed and granted the correct benefit by the Department of Social Welfare. During this period you can apply to the relevant Community Welfare Office for a Supplementary Allowance until your payments are sorted out.
Every person’s situation is different so it’s really important that you talk to the right services as quickly as possible to get your entitlements sorted out. Focus Ireland can support you in applying for your social welfare entitlements, where necessary.
