INDEPENDENT councillor Ursula Gavan has urged Limerick City and County Council to call on the government to reverse cuts to the Tenant-In-Situ (TIS) scheme.
Cllr Gavan hit out at the May monthly Metropolitan District meeting that the scheme, designed to save people from homelessness, has seen funding cuts and eligibility changes, leaving over 60 families facing homelessness.
“This year Limerick Council will acquire just 23 homes, even though 89 home applicants were initially processed,” she claimed.
“26 families are now not eligible for the scheme, after an intervention by Minster James Browne to restrict the qualifying criteria. These families are now are at the mercy of the market, and some are already liaising with emergency services,” Cllr Gavan said.
According to an internal report on the situation, councillors were told that, should TIS funding not be approved, the Homeless Action Team will need to seek additional funding as there will be a significant rise in the number of families presenting to their services.
“The approximate cost of providing emergency accommodation for these families may range from €1,872,000 (six-month stay) to €7,488,000 (two-year stay) depending on the length of stay,” Cllr Gavan observed.
Cllr Gavan told the Council executive that “life is about choices. This government is choosing to put the needs of the market over the needs of people.”
“Restricting the criteria for one of the few schemes that was actually making a difference sends the signal that this government are completely oblivious to the needs of vulnerable families facing homelessness.”
