“The problem of homelessness is out of control; it is getting worse every week and no one appears to be doing anything about it. The problem is most acute in Dublin where official figures show that six additional people are becoming homeless in the region every day, while only two each day succeed in escaping homelessness. More and more people who seek a bed for the night are told those beds are full. Just to keep pace with the problem would require opening a new hostel every week with 28 beds.”
…
“There has been a 90 per cent drop in social housing output between 2007 and 2011, resulting in a 100 per cent increase in the social housing waiting list, from 43,700 in 2005 to 89,900 in 2013. The Government has allocated funding to build 449 new homes over the next two years – which will reduce the waiting list by 2 per cent!”
Fr Peter McVerry, founder of Peter McVerry Trust, in today’s Irish Times.
Authorities close door on crisis of homelessness (Fr Peter McVerry, Irish Times)
Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
