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STG
It is totally unacceptable for a rich country like Ireland that 3873 children have no place to call home it says.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) said that in spite of the fact that almost 3000 people have exited homelessness so far this year, increasing rents and the acute shortage of rental accommodation means that the tide of families entering homelessness continues.
Twenty five new children entered homelessness last month, bringing the total to 3873. Children now account for 37% of 10,367 people who are homeless.
SVP is again calling on Government to increase investment in homeless prevention and public social and affordable housing.
At the moment the current policy direction is flawed and will not stem the flow of families into homelessness, it says.
SVP National President, Kieran Stafford said "It is totally unacceptable for a rich country like Ireland that so many children have no place to call home. And we must not forget that behind every statistic is a childhood lost to homelessness.
"These statistics don't show the stress and strain experienced by families living in emergency accommodation. We meet families who have lost their accommodation at short notice, if for example the hotel has a major function and requires the rooms.
"Things are even more difficult for families who have to source their own emergency accommodation on a 'self-accommodating' basis which can involve regularly making hundreds of phone calls to hotels and B&Bs seeking a room for the night for themselves and their children.
"Then there are psychological and relationship issues caused by families having to live together in cramped and stressful conditions" he continued.
Mr. Stafford said "70% of those that exited homelessness last year were re-housed in the private rented sector. Without enhanced security these families are exposed to becoming homeless again. It is critical that we invest in public housing and tenancy security measures so that people can plan for the future."
