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No homes to go to


Alternative accommodation had to be sourced for over 400 women and children last year many victims of domestic violence in Clare, in order to avert a crisis because the Ennis-based refuge centre, Clare Haven House, was full to capacity.
The Clare Champion can also reveal that over one-in-four of the people who presented themselves as homeless in the county in 2012 cited domestic violence as the primary reason.

In total, 83 people were rendered homeless as a result of domestic violence, according to the Clare Homelessness Action Plan 2013 to 2018, but it doesn’t include another 123 children who had to be admitted to refuge accommodation provided by Clare Haven House.

Additionally, another 211 Clare women benefited from a variety of support services provided by Clare Haven’s outreach facilities last year. Admissions to Clare Haven continue to remain high with 45 women and 87 children using the refuge for the first six months of this year.

The plan has been prepared by Clare Homelessness Alliance. Its chairperson, Councillor Patricia McCarthy, acknowledged the recent rise in admissions to local domestic violence support services as very “worrying”.
Councillor McCarthy pointed out a number of different issues could trigger domestic violence, including financial difficulties.

She identified the lack of step-down facilities or transitional housing for people leaving health facilities and support centres, like a refuge, as a major issue, which need to be addressed as a matter of urgency by the Government.

She warned that in many cases people have “nowhere to go” when they complete any type or treatment or support programme.

Clare Haven manager Denise Dunne said it is becoming increasingly difficult to support people who are suffering from domestic violence and to protect their children in the face of Government cutbacks in funding, which total 24.5% since 2008.

Ms Dunne noted the lack of transitional housing is exacerbated by the Government cuts in rent supplement and more stringent criteria in terms of local authority housing lists.

Supporting the need for more step-down facilities for women who are able to leave their refuge, she stressed there should be more flexibility when housing lists are assessed for women who find themselves in exceptional circumstances, which are outside of their immediate control.

Regardless of how busy Clare Haven is during any period, she stressed anyone experiencing domestic violence should ring their 24-hour helpline on 065 6822435, where they will be provided with confidential advice and support and, if necessary, crisis accommodation.

The Clare Homelessness Alliance was set up in January 2012 after a number of Government, local authority, health and voluntary agencies identified a need for a more co-ordinated approach to tackle the homeless issue in the county.

This plan, which was developed under the stewardship of director of services Bernadette Kinsella, was adopted at a council meeting on Monday.

Following detailed discussion at a recent Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), councillors supported a request to review arrangements for out-of-hours services for the homeless and a detailed assessment for the requirement of a wet hostel.

The plan has set out a number of strategic actions to assist those experiencing homelessness as far as possible with better maximisation of existing resources and services and to minimise the duration and occurrence of homelessness in accordance with national policy.

A protocol has been developed to ensure appropriate screening and assessment of all people presenting as homeless is carried out to determine if emergency accommodation is required.

Rough sleeper counts in urban centres in line with a regional system will be completed twice a year, while a review of emergency accommodation for the homeless will also be undertaken.

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