With winter now here, it is critical that those who are experiencing homelessness are supported and encouraged to engage with services.
We will be working with our partners in the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and Kildare to provide extra emergency beds for those who need them during this period. Our staff will then work with anyone availing of the new beds to provide any support they need to ultimately leave homelessness behind.
Cold and wet weather poses a significant risk to those sleeping rough, especially if they are already suffering from health issues.
Therefore is extremely important that those in homelessness – particularly those sleeping rough – engage with services as temperatures fall to secure shelter during the winter months.
If you are experiencing homelessness, you can avail of the following services
Housing First
If you are sleeping rough and need accommodation and support, you can call Dublin’s Housing First team on 01 872 0185 from 7am to 1am on Monday to Friday and from 4pm to 1am from Saturday – Sunday.
This service engages with those are who on the streets, and tries to support them into temporary homeless accommodation and ultimately make referrals to permanent housing options especially Housing First. The staff also ensure that they are linked with other appropriate housing and health services.
If you are an existing Housing First tenant, you can call 1800 805 820 if you are in need of advice and assistance.
Learn more about our Housing First services here.
Dublin Region Homeless Executive – Homeless Helpline
The Central Placement Service (CPS) can be contacted on the 24-hour homeless helpline at 1800 707 707. This is the number you should call should you require emergency accommodation.
Out of Hours Emergency Freephone – Kildare
The Out of Hours Information and Advice Service for County Kildare is operated by Peter McVerry Trust on behalf of Kildare County Council.
The service offers information and advice to those at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness in Kildare. The freephone number operates outside of Kildare County Council’s office hours and at weekends.
Freephone: 1800 804 307. Freephone Operating Hours: The freephone number is active from 5pm – 9pm Monday to Friday. It operates from noon – 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Information and Advice Centre
Peter McVerry Trust runs an information and advice centre at 12-13 Berkeley Street, Dublin 7, for those experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless. This service can offer warm shelter during the day, with food and hot drinks also available.
The service provides a welcoming and positive space for people to access the following services as well as receiving support from Peter McVerry Trust staff on site:
- Food
- IT
- Laundry
- Storage
- Shower facilities
We also run the ‘Big Breakfast’ on Wednesday and Friday, where those visiting the café can enjoy a hot breakfast roll and hot drinks.
Night café
The Night Café is an emergency shelter for people who are homeless located in Riverbank Centre, 13 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. You can only access this service by calling the Central Placement Service on Freephone 1800 707 707, who will then refer you into the Night Café. It is open Saturday to Thursday 11pm – 7.30am and Friday 11pm – 9.30am.
Mobile safety net bus
If you are unwell, you can visit the SafetyNet Mobile bus, which is located at St Stephen’s Green on Wednesdays from 8pm to 11.30pm. Operated by the Housing First Intake Team, you can contact 086 8139015 if you are in need of assistance.
If you see someone who is sleeping rough, here is what you can do to help
Report the location of rough sleepers
If you see someone sleeping rough, you can report their location with the Dublin Region Homeless Authority here to alert Dublin’s Housing First outreach team.
When reporting the location, you will be asked for details such as where exactly the person is, if they are ‘bedded down’ and what they look like. This is important as the team will be able to decipher whether or not they know the person and if they have already engaged with them that night.
Appropriate support
It is advisable that you do not try to help by bringing people into coffee shops or inviting them into your homes. Though members of the public may have best intentions at heart, they can often find themselves out of their depth when engaging with those who are rough sleeping, who may suffer from complex issues. The best way you can help is by alerting the outreach team who can offer appropriate supports.
If you are located outside of Dublin and want to help someone that you see sleeping rough, please alert your local authority’s homeless services section.
