According to advocacy groups, more than 55,000 additional homes—including 15,000 social homes—are required annually to combat homelessness, reports Breaking News.
As parties and independents gather for government formation negotiations following the general election, the Irish Homeless Policy Group has voiced concerns about the “absence of concrete proposals” in political manifestos to address homelessness.
It stated on Tuesday that in order for the government to accomplish long-term solutions, each program must include ten essential steps, reports Breaking News.
According to the organisation, which consists of organisations like the Irish Refugee Council and charities that support the homeless, “credible policies and tangible goals” are required.
Emma Byrne, chairwoman of the group and policy officer with Focus Ireland, said: “We believe ending homelessness is achievable and we believe a collaborative approach, which brings together organisations on the front lines along with local authorities, state agencies and strong cabinet support, will be the best approach,” reports Breaking News.
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Focus Ireland’s head of advocacy, Mike Allen, stated that the organisation is “hopeful” that the incoming administration would address homelessness.
Mr. Allen responded, “We will work with whoever the minister is, we’re more concerned that the policies are changed rather than the minister would change,” when asked whether Focus was optimistic about a change in the housing minister, reports Breaking News.
Darragh O’Brien, a member of the Fianna Fáil, presently holds the position.
In violation of the government’s legal duties, Nick Henderson, the chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, stated that it had been nearly two years since the Department of Integration declared it could no longer house all male international protection applicants coming into the nation, reports Breaking News.
3,141 males are now without an official offer of housing as a result of the State’s failure to accommodate thousands of applications for international protection.
Concern for “extremely vulnerable” asylum seekers who have not received a formal accommodation offer was voiced by Mr. Henderson, reports Breaking News.
For the first time since records have been kept, the number of persons seeking emergency housing exceeded 15,000, according to government numbers released last week.
Official data from the Department of Housing shows that 15,199 individuals—including 2,168 families and 4,658 children—received emergency housing in November, reports Breaking News.
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