Child homelessness figures unacceptable

Reacting to today’s homelessness figures, Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, said:

“Today’s figures show that an extra 70 children became homeless in August, bringing the total number of homeless children in Ireland to 3,848.

 “This is truly a heart-breaking and unacceptable situation.

“Emergency accommodation is no place for a child, and there’s an increased amount of research showing the damage it can do to children in the long-term.

“I would call again on the Minister to move forward the Labour Party’s Homeless Families Bill, which legally obliges housing authorities to act in the best interest of the child when their family becomes homeless.  

 “Ultimately the housing crisis is all about supply, but the delivery of social and affordable homes is still moving at a snail’s pace.

“For seven months now, the overall homeless figures have been at over 10,000 people.

“The Government needs to act with the sense of urgency this crisis demands.”