Child homelessness figure highlights failure of Government policy

Commenting on the latest homelessness figures, Labour Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan TD, said:

“These latest figures make for grim reading and show that not only has the homelessness crisis not gone away, it is getting worse, and Government policy is failing to resolve it.

“Since June, there are 103 more children in emergency accommodation, with tragically nearly four thousand now without a place to call their home.

“The simple fact remains that the Government is still not building enough homes, which in turn continues to heap pressure on the already inflated rental sector.

“Sadly it is becoming normalised that over 10,000 people in this state are currently without a home.

“It comes as another report out today shows that a couple who are first time buyers would have to earn upwards of €100,000 between them in order to afford a new two-bed apartment in our cities.

“That is simply beyond the reach of those who need affordable housing and is completely inaccessible to most of the population. It also shows yet again how the private sector can’t adequately meet the housing needs of the people of Ireland.

“The Government has now had three years to turn this crisis around and get building, but the figures are just getting worse.”