Five children became homeless every day in October
Immediate action from the government is needed to tackle homelessness as five children became homeless every day in October, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan.
“The latest homelessness figures show the number of people who are homeless and living in emergency accommodation has increased to 8,644, including 2513 children.
“The number of children becoming homeless is especially concerning. Throughout October, five children became homeless every day. There has been a 15pc increase in the number of children who became homeless in just two months.
“This is the sixth month in a row that the number of people who are homeless has increased. We need immediate action from the government to reduce homelessness. Increasing protections for renters to bring us in line with other European countries would help. We also need a substantial increase in the number of Housing First Tenancies to support people with complex needs.
“In addition, the use of bureaucratic local connection rules by local authorities, to prevent people from progressing out of emergency accommodation and into housing, is unacceptable. Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien must issue a circular to local authorities to end this practice and support people to come out of homelessness.”
26 November, 2021
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