Paul Keenan
The chief executive of homeless charity the Peter McVerry Trust has said the crisis of homelessness is now “out of control”. Reacting to newly released figures showing that those living in emergency accommodation are at their highest since records began, Pat Doyle said the effects of this reality are being felt by charities such as the McVerry Trust which is facing “enormous challenges” due to increased demand for its services.
“We worked with about 4,500 people last year and only housed 171 of those,” said Mr Doyle. “So what we want to see is less emergency beds and more housing.”
However, against Mr Doyle’s stated desire is the reality that, as of July this year, some 6,525 people are currently living in emergency accommodation, an increase of 40% over last year. The figure includes 2,348 children, and that category alone has witnessed a 70% increase in the same period.
Mr Doyle insisted that the best answer to the surging crisis is to “implement the Government action plan, to get the rapid build housing going and in the meantime to do everything we can to support the private rented market”.
Announced in July, the Government action plan on homelessness, Rebuilding Ireland, pledged 47,000 new social houses over the next six years as well as targeting an annual overall build of 25,000 units per year. In launching the plan, Minister for Housing Simon Coveney stated that by July 2017, hotels for emergency accommodation of families would only be used in very limited circumstances.
In the meantime, Pat Doyle said, other ministers had a part to play in alleviating the pressure on homeless families. “When people come in to our services they are looking for a bed and three other thing,” he explained, “support economically, support with mental health and support with addiction.
“So we need greater emphasis from the Minister for Health on addiction and mental health services and greater emphasis from the Minister for Social protection on rent supplement. It needs to be index linked.”