Following publication of the July figures of the number of people who are homeless, Cian O’Callaghan TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Housing, said:
“The increase in the number of people who are becoming homeless is inexcusable. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, significant progress was made in reducing the number of people who are homeless.
“It is very worrying that the numbers of people who are homeless are beginning to increase again. It is particularly concerning that this increase was recorded in July before the Government lifted the ban on evictions and rent increases. We know that most people who become homeless are evicted from the private rented sector.
“It is vitally important that we protect people who are vulnerable from contracting Covid-19 and this means we must do everything we can to reduce the number of people who are becoming homeless.
“I’m calling on the Minister for Housing to strengthen protections for renters by eliminating no fault evictions which would bring us into line with many other European countries and would reduce the number of people evicted into homelessness.”
August 28, 2020