Access to Emergency Accommodation

Our Limerick law centre was contacted last year by a family who had been refused access to emergency accommodation. They had surrendered a council home and left the country a few years previously as they were victims of anti-social behaviour. Things did not work out and they returned to Ireland and privately rented a home until their resources were depleted. They presented homeless to the Council as they were unable to secure rented accommodation any longer. However, they were told that they were no longer on the housing list and as a result did not qualify for emergency accommodation.

We advocated on behalf of the family, highlighting section 2 of the Housing Act 1988 which clearly defines homelessness and shows that it is a separate and distinct system to the social housing regulations which governs social housing support.

After discussion and letters seeking an appeal of the Council’s decision the Council granted this family emergency accommodation.