TD fury as homeless kids total up to 3,829
»»9,698 people have no place of their own »»sinn Fein td says real figure is higher
HOUSING Minister Eoghan Murphy came under fresh fire last night after a rise in the number of homeless children.
Last month 3,829 kids had no place of their own – 136 more than in August. Statistics also showed 5,869 adults were homeless bringing the total figure to 9,698.
Sinn Fein’s Eoin O Broin said: “This figure is not even a true reflection of those in Department of Housing funded-accommodation as 1,600 people have been removed from the figures over the past few months at the request of Mr Murphy.
“We know from speaking with local authorities that the families removed from the figures are still accessing homeless services and are in section 10 funded accommodation.
“It is deeply disappointing that the minister’s tardy practice of releasing bad news homeless figures late in the working evening has re-emerged.
“Once again I am calling on the Government to do more to tackle the causes of homelessness.
“We need to see a more aggressive plan for the purchase of turnkey properties for families to move into.”
Meanwhile, Labour spokeswoman Jan O’sullivan called the latest figures a scandal.
She said: “The economy has recovered but Government seems incapable of dealing with the housing crisis.
“The tragedy of this for the families is it doesn’t have to be that way.
“I am calling on the Government to make the changes in law needed to keep people in their homes that the Labour Party has proposed. They include stopping evictions for reasons of sale or refurbishment and halting rent hikes by controlling increases right across the country.
“We would close the loopholes that allow such hikes even in Rent Pressure Zones.
“There has to be a determined focus on opening up the 3,600 empty council houses and many other privately-owned homes that are vacant, through compulsory purchase, if necessary.
“We’ve had a litany of announcements, plans and incentives for the private sector. We need State-led action and we need it now. “This scandal cannot continue and the Government must act to stem the flow of people losing their home.”
more children are homeless now compared to August’s figure 136