Novas Annual Report 2022

Annual Report 2022
Throughout the year NOVAS advocated for additional supports, services
and housing for people experiencing homelessness in Ireland. Our 2023
Pre-Budget Submission focused on accelerated delivery of housing, better
standards of accommodation and security of tenure for tenants in private
rented accommodation and a ring-fenced health budget for the homeless
population. People who experience homelessness have poorer physical and
mental health outcomes than the general population but despite this, find
it difficult to access mainstream services. The delivery of targeted, lowthreshold
supports for people with dual diagnosis of addiction and mental
health is essential to creating opportunities for recovery.
Throughout 2022, NOVAS’ Senior Health and Recovery Services Manager,
Julie McKenna, was the voluntary and community sector representative on
the National Working Group for the Dual Diagnosis Model of Care, created to
develop a new national strategy for supporting people with dual diagnosis of
co-existing mental health and addiction.
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