Conference Addressing Ireland’s 2030 Target of Ending Homelessness
Conference Addressing Ireland’s 2030 Target of Ending Homelessness
Tuesday 22nd of October
Leading Irish and International experts come together to Explore Solutions and Proposals for Ending Long-Term Homelessness
Focus Ireland staff and members from across the housing and homeless charity sector convened this week to see a group of Irish and international experts explore the challenges Ireland faces in meeting its 2030 target to end homelessness, as part of the Lisbon Declaration, signed by all EU member states in June 2021, and incorporated into Ireland’s *Housing for All* programme. The event, a high-level conference was organised by Mike Allen, Director of Advocacy to put forward specific proposals for the next Government to help achieve this ambitious goal.
The conference, titled ‘Ending Homelessness by 2030: Are We Serious?’, took place at Trinity College Dublin on Wednesday, 25 September and provided a platform for leaders in the housing and homelessness sectors to discuss the scale of the challenge, examine international best practices, and explore potential solutions.
Speakers on the day were introduced by Focus Ireland’s Peer Support Worker, Lisa Brennan and included prominent members of the Irish Government’s Housing Commission, Prof. Michelle Norris and Prof. Ronan Lyons, alongside Dr. Paul Egan from the ESRI and Professor Eoin O’Sullivan, Editor of the European Journal on Homelessness.
From the international stage, the conference featured Prof. Juha Kaakinen from Tampere University, a key figure behind Finland’s successful strategy to end homelessness, and Francesca Albanese, Executive Director of Policy & Social Change at Crisis UK, a leading UK homeless organisation.
Focus Ireland’s Policy Officer, Emma Byrne, presented a detailed review around housing supply and exits from homelessness, and how to close the housing supply gap. Director of Advocacy, Mike Allen presented a detailed proposal for ending long-term homelessness by 2030. Mike’s proposal calls for prioritising individuals currently experiencing long-term homelessness through targeted support measures, including a dedicated stream of social housing.
Mike said: “Ireland’s growing population is vital to sustaining economic growth, and we must ensure the homes and communities are available for this expanding population. We look forward to hearing how political parties plan to meet this challenge in the upcoming election.”
Conference Highlights Included:
Professor Eoin O’Sullivan (TCD) presented data on homelessness dynamics, showing that the rise in homelessness is due not to more people becoming homeless, but to fewer being able to exit homelessness.
Professor Ronan Lyons (TCD, Housing Commission) and Dr Paul Egan (ESRI) examined housing demand estimates and what the next Government’s housing targets must be to meet the country’s needs.
Professor Michelle Norris (UCD, Housing Commission) and Emma Byrne (Focus Ireland) discussed strategies for closing the housing supply gap, particularly for homeless individuals.
Francesca Albanese (Crisis UK) and Prof. Juha Kaakinen (Tampere University) gave a review on international examples of how targeted social housing can successfully reduce homelessness.