Increase in Drogheda rough sleepers needs ‘multi agency approach’

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Concerns around a visible increase in “rough sleepers” in the Drogheda area were raised at the monthly meeting of the Borough District Council.

Cllr. Paddy McQuillan told the meeting that he noticed “a lot more homeless people, who are sleeping in tents” and asked if Louth County Council were engaging with these people.”

He said there were a number of locations where this was happening, and queried what steps the local authority is taking in relation to this increase.

Declan Grimes, Senior Engineer (Housing) at Louth County Council, agreed there had been an increase in rough sleepers in Drogheda. He said that staff from the homeless team had called to areas where they are sleeping, and engaged with them. He said that emergency accommodation was offered.

He added that the local authority will be carrying out a rough sleepers count in Drogheda and Dundalk this week, and asked if councillors were aware of specific locations where people sleep rough, they should reach out to the council to let them know.

Cllr. Anne Marie Forde asked, in relation to issues which arise around homelessness, is there a multi-agency approach to the homeless? She highlighted the complexities around the issue, saying that poor mental health can often play a role in people becoming homeless. It was important the council work with other agencies in tackling the broad range of problems around homelessness.

She said that from speaking to agencies involved it had been raised with her that people were being released “when they weren’t quite well enough to be released, in terms of mental health.”

“As a result it was coming back to Homeless Aid to deal with," said Cllr. Forde, adding that when addressing homelessness it was important to look at all the factors involved.

Mr. Grimes said the council do take a multi-agency approach in relation to homelessness. He added that the homeless team engage with a range of agencies including Drogheda Homeless Aid and the Red Door project.