Helping Hand in Waterford says they're receiving a lot of calls recently from people concerned about homeless people sleeping out in the severe cold weather
Local Councillor Stephanie Keating, who volunteers with the group, says there are beds available for anyone sleeping rough during the cold snap.
The Fianna Fáil Councillor told Déise Today that sometimes they don't want help.
She said she knows of two people who have refused accommodation services, and believes it is because they are in a relationship.
"Couples find it very difficult because he would have to go to McGwire House and she would have to go to Oasis House," Councillor Keating said.
She added that if you see anyone sleeping rough during this severe weather, you should contact the authorities.
Helping Hand provide hot meals, tents and sleeping bags for homeless men, women, and families. As well as this, there are beds available in local refuges.
"Ring the Council, ring the Gardaí, ring Helping Hand, go onto Facebook," Councillor Keating said.
On top of this, Stephanie added that she and her Fianna Fáil colleagues are concerned about the narrative circulating on social media saying 'we should be looking after our own.'
She would like to highlight that funding for homeless people is not being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees or those seeking international protection.
Stephanie said that there's a separate pot of funding to deal with the emergency situation.
"They're not going into social houses, they're not going into McGwire House, they're not going into Oasis House," she said.
Public buildings and old guesthouses are being sourced for those coming to Waterford.
Despite what people might be thinking, the Department of Housing is not responsible for housing refugees and asylum seekers.
It's actually Roderick O'Gorman's Department that is responsible. He is the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
"I really, really would say to people, 'really think about where we're at now, these people are fleeing a war,'" Stephanie said.
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