Homelessness in Ireland: Law, Policy and Practices

This chapter examines homelessness law and policy in the Republic of Ireland. The first section sets the topic in the wider housing context by outlining the history of homelessness in Ireland. The `strategy based approach to homelessness policy in Ireland is critically appraised. In section two, legal measures on homelessness prevention are discussed. The legal definition of homelessness is explored against the backdrop of the legal framework governing local authorities housing functions and a partial explanation is offered for the limited success of legal challenges. In section three, a range of homelessness prevention practices are discussed including distinctive rent subsidy mechanisms, homelessness agencies, data collection, tenancy support schemes and Housing First initiatives. In section four, the discussion turns to the future of homelessness law and policy. It is argued that the narrow definition of homelessness in Irish housing policy fails to account for hidden homelessness and thus obscures the factors driving the homelessness crisis. The chapter concludes by considering how expanding the role of legal, and constitutional, housing rights could support the development of better housing outcomes in this context.