Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed concern at the latest homelessness figures.
Deputy O’Callaghan said:
“The latest figures show that 8,699 people are homeless. Despite an increase in the availability of properties due to Covid-19 and the emergency ban on evictions, the overall homeless numbers have fallen by just 2% since the last report.
“At this rate, it will take at least four more years to house everyone currently in emergency accommodation, let alone those who will become newly homeless once the blanket ban on evictions is lifted in 10 days’ time.
“The Government is failing those that are homeless on multiple levels. We have seen a 13% cut to homeless mental health services and increasing reliance on privatised hostels and emergency accommodation. Instead of putting ever increasing resources into emergency accommodation, the focus must shift to prevention and providing long-term secure housing.
“We need an urgent change in direction from this Government.”
July 31, 2020