Ongoing monthly increase in homeless figures is shocking

Reacting to the latest homelessness figures for June, Labour Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan has said that the ongoing monthly increase is shocking, and that the Government has totally failed to get to grips with the problem.

Deputy O’Sullivan said:

“It is deeply worrying that the number of people who are homeless continues to increase, with a total of 9,872 now without a home. This includes 1,754 families with 3,824 children dependents.

“Rebuilding Ireland promised to end the use of hotels for families to live in, except for short-term emergencies. Two years later, that promise is still unfulfilled.

“What we need to see now is a more urgent response from the State. The failure to roll out rapid build housing is an example that hasn’t been explained and would go some way as a short term solution.

“Also as an immediate reaction we need to see an aggressive effort to bring vacant and empty houses back into use in the coming weeks and months so that homes can be provided to families before school returns in September.

“These families and the children affected are in truly precarious situations, filled with anxiety about the future that no child should have to endure. The State is responsible for addressing this and the Minister must respond with emergency measures.”