The vast majority of the country’s Homelessness campaigners say there currently is not enough being done to keep Irish families in their homes.
The recent calls come after new figures revealed that a total of 134 families, with 269 children being children, were left homeless in Dublin in January alone. The news has prompted many homeless campaigners to voice their concerns, including Sam McGuinness of Dublin Simon Community who says the current situation is extremely worrying. Mr McGuinness said: “I think this issue will have to be addressed, it’ll have to be addressed promptly, it’ll have to be addressed immediately some government is formed.” “I think in the meantime, I think all the agencies like ourselves – the local authorities, Dublin City Council etc – have to do more in terms of making sure people are kept in their homes” he added.
Meanwhile the charity group Focus Ireland said that ending the homeless crisis has to be a top priority for the next government. The group say the latest figures show that “This is the highest ever monthly increase in family homelessness is a timely reminder to voters and the political parties that the ‘recovery’ has not reached a large number of communities and people.”
Focus Ireland are also calling for five election demands to be delivered by the new government to help end the current housing and homeless crisis. The group are calling for the next government to set a firm target date for ending family homelessness, and also a commitment to build 40,000 social homes over the next five years.
Meanwhile the Peter McVerry Trust has said it is very concerned by the latest homeless figures. Fr Peter McVerry told reporters emergency measures urgently need to be put in place.