Ireland is experiencing a shortage of suitable housing and this together with unaffordable rents in the private sector is leading to a rise in homelessness across the country.
Housing has a large influence on health. People without a home often experience complex and chronic health conditions including mental health and addiction issues and face barriers in accessing appropriate health care.
The HSE, together with the Local Authorities, has joint responsibility to provide a coordinated and integrated response to delivering homeless services to this growing group.
Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (2016-2021) is a national interagency plan designed to tackle the national increase in homelessness and achieve its objectives to end long term homelessness and rough sleeping by the end of 2021. Prevention is a key component of the action plan which the HSE supports with regards to specific health aspects. Please see tabs for further information.
