Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin and Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Justice, Senator Lynn Boylan talking to the media on the plinth of the Dail yesterday
This morning.
Leinster House, Dublin 2
Sinn Féin will today use their private members’ time to introduce the Homeless Prevention Bill to the Dáil which would require local authorities to put in a homelessness prevention plan in place for families and individuals 60 days before they become homeless.
Via Irish Examiner:
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin said: “The situation today is if I’m at risk of homelessness and my notice to quit expires in 60 days and I go to my local authority, they tell me to come back in 60 days time.
“What this would do is make local authorities far more proactive in putting in place solutions for people before they become homeless.”
The party is claiming the Government is undercounting the number of people who are homeless by up to 20%.
Deputy O’Broin added:
“There are many more people, in fact about 20% more than the Department of Housing’s report indicates, who are in emergency accommodation funded by other Government departments.
“So for example, on any given night there are almost 600 adults and children in domestic violence refuges funded by Tusla and their lead department.
“There are over 1,000 adults and children who are former asylum seekers, but have secured international protection and leave to remain, but are trapped in direct provision, essentially using it as emergency accommodation funded by the Department of Justice.
“There are several hundred individuals in religious hostels that don’t receive any Government funding and therefore they’re not counted at all.Too few, too dear — plan for 350 affordable homes comes in for criticism from opposition
“And of course on any given night we have between 90 and 100 rough sleepers.
“The real level of homelessness in terms of people who tonight will be in emergency accommodation or sleeping on the streets, is over 10,000, 20% higher than the Government’s official figures.”
Government undercounting homeless figures by up to 20%, Sinn Féin claims (irish Examiner)
