76% rise in homeless families since January – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

76% rise in homeless families since January




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According to new figures from the Department of the Environment, the number of homeless families has risen by 76% since the start of 2015.

This shocking information has been release ahead of a meeting tomorrow to be chaired by Taoiseach Enda Kenny that is due to discuss the current homelessness crisis.

Over 400 families were homeless in Ireland at the start of the year, however by August the figure had risen to just over 700. –  a 76% rise in just eight months.

Almost 1,500 children are now homeless – a 73% rise since the start of 2015.

The vast majority these homeless families are in the Dublin region and more than half of them are living in hotels and B&Bs in the capital.

The Sub-Cabinet Committee on Social Policy is having its first meeting since the summer recess tomorrow and homelessness is due a be a key item on the agenda.

The Simon Communities in Ireland has described the figures as “disturbing”.

They have called on the Taoiseach, who is chairing that meeting, to make an emergency intervention to turn the crisis around.

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