13,000 homeless for Xmas..
»»Charity warns of frantic race to find shelter for families »»Ministeraccused of playing down full magnitude of crisis
UP to 13,000 people will be homeless across Ireland this Christmas, a charity has warned.
The housing department yesterday confirmed 5,999 adults and 3,725 children presented themselves as in need of shelter last month.
However, Anthony Flynn, head of Inner City Helping Homeless, claimed the true figure is far higher and accused the Government of trying to put a “happy face” on the crisis.
He told the Irish Mirror: “Many hotels close over the Christmas period so people will have to be transferred out of those facilities and put into others.
“I think this Christmas is going to be absolutely hectic in regard to sourcing accommodation – particularly with new presentations.”
According to official figures for October, there were 1,709 families in emergency accommodation nationally – 44 fewer than recorded the previous month.
In a statement, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said this was “certainly a positive”.
He added: “For a third consecutive month we have seen a fall in the numbers in the Dublin region.
“We also saw more than 100 families prevented from entering emergency accommodation last month thanks to dedicated initiatives like the HAP place finders.
“A further 70 families exited emergency accommodation.” Anthony Flynn
But Mr Flynn said: “There are up to 13,000 people homeless across the country but what we’re seeing is a disingenuous statement over last month’s figures.
“The minister is claiming a reduction in numbers. People are exiting homelessness but we have a top heavy situation with people also entering homelessness. An average of three families present every day.
“The fact of the matter is the minister continues to try and keep the figure under the 10,000 mark. The report is not worth the paper it’s written on.”
Labour Party housing spokeswoman Jan O’sullivan also questioned the official figures released yesterday.
She said: “These leave out the 1,600 taken out of the statistics even though they are funded through the Section 10 homeless money heading. Those seeking refuge from domestic violence are not included either.
“As we reach the coldest time of the year, this is a crisis that needs urgent action.”
IT’S less than four weeks to Christmas and up to 13,000 homeless people are facing into a distressing festive period.
That’s the shocking number of men, women and children who didn’t have a permanent roof over their heads last month.
Millions of us are gearing up for the roast turkey dinner and presents under the tree.
But these poor folk are more worried about where they will put their heads down on Christmas night.
Right now there are 9,724 without a home – 5,999 adults and 3,725 children. And that’s only the official figures with charity bosses putting the real number closer to 13,000.
Christmas really is all about children so it is especially sad to think of kids in these circumstances at this time of year.
Their hard-pressed parents will do their best to give them as good a festive period as they can but it won’t be the same in a cramped hotel, bedroom or B&B.
The only good news is the number of families in emergency accommodation is falling – but only by 44 less than the previous month.
And this is simply not just good enough in a First World country like Ireland.
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy needs to sort this crisis.
The Government should be embarrassed at the treatment of vulnerable families at what should be the happiest time of the year.