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Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan welcomes the drop in the number of people living in emergency accommodation which according to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has fallen from 9,335 to 8,876.

Cian O’Callaghan said:

‘It’s welcome news that the number of people who are homeless has fallen to 8,876. It’s important that we have a full understanding of what has caused this drop. The emergency ban on evictions and the COVID-19 related collapse in the short term lets market has been a significant factor. We need to ensure that those who have been housed in these Airbnb style properties in recent weeks are provided with a home for good – otherwise we will see a rise in homelessness again as the crisis unwinds.’

‘There is also a worry that changes in procedures brought in because of COVID-19 are failing to fully capture those who have become homeless during the crisis – this may be part of the reason for the fall in numbers. There are reports of people who, for example, are sleeping in their cars and not in emergency accommodation who aren’t included in these figures. This is worrying.’

‘8,876 people who don’t have a place to call home in unacceptable. Other countries have come close to ending homelessness – it remains a stain on the reputation of this republic that so many people lack access to a basic need like housing.’

[ENDS]

26 June 2020

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