Homelessness figures exceed 10,000 for fifth month in a row

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien, has said it is deeply frustrating that the Government is failing to make any significant impact on the numbers of adults and children in emergency accommodation.
 
Deputy O’Brien was commenting as the Department of Housing released the homelessness figures for June which indicated that there are almost 6,500 adults and 3,675 children in emergency accommodation.
 
He said, “The numbers in emergency accommodation are above 10,000 for the fifth month in a row which is a disgraceful situation. There has been a slight drop in numbers thankfully, with eight fewer adults and 74 fewer children from last month but that decrease needs to be far greater.
 
“The Government needs to ask itself how it can possibly meet the demand for housing when the scale of development in affordable and public housing that’s required is simply not happening?
 
“The answer is not box room type living. It is quality, affordable homes where children can feel safe and secure. It’s important to remember at all times that the 3,675 children who are in emergency accommodation are being failed badly and that this will have far reaching consequences on their young lives.
 
“Many of these children will be beginning a new school year as they ended the last one, hopping from hotel to hotel, with no privacy, no place to do homework and no place to call home”, he concluded.