Political pledges are useless – new homes are the only solution
THERE is no simple solution to homelessness, but the fact the problem is so complex is of little comfort to the families of the seven people who have died over the past 12 weeks, two this week alone.
There’s little doubt that the State is not responding adequately to this crisis, which has seen the number of people in emergency accommodation increasing month-on-month as the housing shortage continues to affect all sectors of society.
But those living on the margins, forced to bunk down on city streets, are most at risk, especially in light of the sub-zero conditions they are forced to endure every day and night.
No matter how committed and professional those at the coalface are in tackling this crisis, until there is an increase in the number of homes being constructed, the problem will likely worsen.
At least one of the men who perished on the streets of Dublin had spent time in emergency accommodation, and had been in contact with outreach teams. While the exact circumstances of his death are not yet known, it’s not clear whether a bed was available to him on the night that he died. It’s of little consequence. The fact is, he is dead, joining the ranks of the other unfortunates whom the State has failed over the years.
The most recent figures show that 5,298 adults – including 115 aged 65 years and older – are classed as homeless. They are joined by another 3,194 children, a total of 8,492 people, an increase since September.
That’s the equivalent population of towns including Portarlington, Co Laois, Tuam, Co Galway, and Kildare, Co Kildare. Imagine if the entire populace of those areas suddenly found themselves with nowhere to live. It would certainly focus minds on finding solutions in a timely manner.
The answer to homelessness is homes, not strategies and empty pledges. Action to date hasn’t come cheap, and the money is not being spent on the right supports. Of the €118.65m spent last year, 44pc (€52.5m) was on hotels and B&Bs. That’s at least 200 homes, enough to take most rough sleepers off the streets.
The spend on preventing homelessness and assistance to keep people in their homes was just under €9m, or 7.3pc of the total.
Last week, there was a pointless discussion about how Ireland compared internationally. The inability of the State to provide a decent home for the most vulnerable, for families and children in the weeks leading up to Christmas, shows that despite a plethora of plans, taskforces and strategies, actions are not taking place on the ground. It doesn’t matter how we compare with others.
It’s not the fault of the agencies tasked with dealing with the problem. Only Co Leitrim and Co Roscommon officially have nobody classed
as homeless; all other counties have dedicated people desperately trying to tackle the problem. They are forced to firefight all the time. While the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive is expanding the number of emergency bed spaces being made available, they’re not the long-term answer. Only a permanent home is.
It’s been said before, but these deaths need to be a wake-up call. While there is much said politically about addressing homelessness and the housing crisis, it’s not translating into the solution – new homes on the ground.