Introduction
This submission looks at healthcare specifically as it relates to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The submission opens with a series of recommendations across Health; Mental Health; Alcohol and Drug Use; Support for the Implementation of Housing First; Dual Diagnosis and Complex Needs; Older People; and Women. This is followed by a brief overview of homelessness, the reasons people become homeless and the current housing and homelessness crisis. Building on this, the submission then outlines the health issues experienced by people who are homeless with regard to their physical health, mental health, problematic drug and alcohol use; and dual diagnosis and complex needs. This progresses to a discussion of the importance of housing first as a proven concept for the delivery of targeted clinical supports for people who are homeless. The barriers to accessing healthcare are then examined with specific reference to those experienced by people who are homeless. The submission concludes with a brief examination of the beneficial cost implications associated with the delivery of targeted health care and housing services for people who are homeless as experienced in Ireland, the UK and Australia.
