2 , 563 CHILDREN IN EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION

Charity hits out at ‘spiralling and deepening crisis’

MORE than 2,560 children are without a home and living in emergency accommodation – the highest level ever recorded. Figures from the Department of Housing show the number of kids without a permanent roof over their head has broken all previous records and hit 2,563 by the end of March. Most of the children affected are in Dublin but many are living in hotels or B&BS across the country, Barnardos confirmed yesterday. The news comes as it emerged more than 5,000 people were classed at homeless in Ireland last month and the charity believes the situation is going to get worse. Its head of advocacy June Tinsley said: “These ever-increasing figures are indicative of the housing crisis spiralling and deepening. “The minister’s own target to ensure no homeless child will be living in a hotel by July 2017 offers little hope. “Each monthly increase represents more children living in inappropriate accommodation, totally confused over what is happening to them and scared for their future. “While their parents are struggling to cope with stress, uncertainty and feelings of inadequacy that is not of their own making or within their control to resolve.” Housing Minister Simon Coveney, right, has recommitted to a deadline of the middle of this year to end the use of hotels, guest houses and B&BS for emergency beds for families unless the circumstances are exceptional. But Barnardos and other charities insist there is little chance this promise can be kept. Ms Tinsley added: “These figures show 83% of all homeless children are in Dublin where the availability of private rented accommodation or social housing is most limited. “Many families are trapped in hotels for more than a year. “However, homelessness is not just a Dublin issue as many of the families we work with across our projects are having real difficulty in accessing alternative appropriate accommodation due to the lack of supply. “This is leaving them in substandard and overcrowded homes.” She insisted the crisis comes down to the simple fact there are not enough houses and apartments being built. Ms Tinsley added: “The Rebuilding Ireland plan while ambitious and trying to address all the aspects of the housing sector is not being implemented quick enough.”