Homeless people living in container

Homeless people in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin are being accommodated in containers due to a lack of hostel facilities in the area. The facility was started in January 2002 by Crosscare, a Catholic social agency in conjunction with the HSE and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. It consists of two portacabins that can accommodate 22 people. The facility is funded by the HSE and the County Council through the Department of Environment and Local Government, but managed by Crosscare. The night containers are housed in the grounds of the HSE on Tivoli road in Dún Laoghaire. Initially it was a temporary project set up for two months but according to a Crosscare spokesperson, "there was a need there and it was constantly being used".

The accommodation is in two purpose-built portacabins measuring 80 foot by 40 foot. They contain dormitory-style accommodation, kitchen and dining area, shower and toilet facilities. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said: "the night service while in a temporary location is serviced to a high standard. Food is provided in addition to laundry, washing and sleeping facilities." Residents have to arrive before 10pm to get a bed and it works on a first-come, first-served basis and everybody has to pay €2 per night.

Until recently this was the only type of emergency accommodation for homeless people in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area. Before its establishment, homeless people were forced to look for accommodation in the city centre hostels. The council has recently set up placement accommodation for single homeless men in seven self-contained apartments.

The Dún Laoghaire Housing Action Group (DLHAG) has expressed concern about this form of accommodation. "The Council's attitude seems to be to hide the problem of homelessness from public view by herding the homeless into containers instead providing decent and affordable housing for all that need it," said Colman Etchingham of DLHAG. The group also has concerns about whether health and safety guidelines are being met at the facility. They say from talking to residents there they are doubtful that they are. DRLCC say that all staff have been trained in fire safety, including evacuation procedures. One-hundred-and-sixty-five households have been accepted as being currently homeless in the borough. This figure includes a single parent living at home with their parents looking for alternative housing. At present there are 3,500 people on the housing list in the borough.

The county council have started building a hostel which will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as 13 move-on apartments for lone parents. This is expected to be completed by late 2006.

Emma Browne