Sleep-out in aid of the homeless

Wexford Homeless Housing Action Group are organising a sleep-out called ‘Night Among Pals’ in the Bullring on Saturday, September 29 from 9pm to 9am.

Members of the Action Group work directly with people sleeping rough in Wexford and have distributed 80 tents to the homeless since December 2017,.

According to spokeswoman Aislinn Wallace, Tthe aim of the sleep-out is to spread awareness of the worsening homeless crisis and to raise funds to enable the group to continue helping those in crisis. Anyone who would like to take part can collect a sponsorship card from the Wexford Homeless Housing Action Group charity shop at 111 North Main Street.

‘Sleeping rough is a lonely, difficult and often traumatic experience’, said Aislinn.

‘This sleep-out is in solidarity with the hundreds of people around the country who have no other choice. No matter what issues an individual has, the services to help them out of homelessness should be available. To deny them support and a sustainable housing option is a breach of human rights’, she said.

The group offer support and advocacy to those who are facing Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) discrimination, rent hikes, evictions and poor housing conditions and they would like to see empty properties audited and put back into use immediately or the owners should face a tax on the property.

‘Reliance on the private market is causing rents to be unaffordable for the most vulnerable in the community, and is also fuelling the property market. In Wexford rents have increased by 48.5% since 2011’, said Aislinn.

The group are inviting musicians and local artists to go along to the ‘Night Among Pals’ to entertain the participants on the sleep-out. Food and hot drinks will be provided. All funds raised will be used locally in Wexford.