1049. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether LGBTQ+ inclusion and vulnerability are considered within homelessness prevention strategies and Housing First approaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42072/26]

My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for persons experiencing homelessness rests with individual local authorities.

Prevention of homelessness in the first instance is essential with many prevention initiatives already underway in my Department and across Government. This includes the provision of social and affordable housing, HAP and homeless HAP, and our strong tenancy protection legislation. In order to ensure a fully aligned all-of-Government approach under 'Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, there is a commitment to develop a national Homelessness Prevention Framework within which homelessness can be prevented in a structured and planned way with tailored prevention measures for each potential at risk cohort. Work is ongoing on developing this Framework which will be finalised and in place in 2026.

The Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex high support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).

Housing First service providers assess rough sleepers and long-term users of emergency accommodation for suitability for Housing First and if they meet the criteria they are supported to access Housing First units. These criteria are further outlined in the Housing First Manual for Ireland, which is available at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/sites/default/files/A_HOUSING_FIRST_MANUAL_IRELAND.pdf.

In line with commitments made in both the Programme for Government and Housing for All, a national Youth Homelessness Strategy was in place for the period 2023-2025. The Strategy aimed to help young people aged 18 – 24 who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, with 27 actions to prevent youth homelessness; improve the experiences of young people accessing emergency accommodation; and assist young people in exiting homelessness.

The Strategy recognised that there are certain cohorts of young people, including members of the LGBTI+ community, at a heightened risk of experiencing homelessness and provides specific actions for each cohort. Action 19 outlined the need to offer LGBTI+ Youth Homelessness Training Workshops for service providers to ensure a better understanding of LGBTI+ issues and the various forms of discrimination and Action 20 committed to developing privacy and safety strategies for young LGBTI+ people using emergency accommodation. Consultations were held with LGBTI+ youth to inform the implementation of these actions. A copy of the Strategy can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/69597-youth-homelessness-strategy/.

Under ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, a standing sub-group of the National Homeless Action Committee will be established to ensure a continued focus on youth homelessness, to oversee the mainstreaming of key actions in the Strategy and to identify new actions which should be progressed in response to new trends.