Drugs & violence fear for homeless parents
Study warns of effects on kids
PARENTS fear their kids will suffer long-term effects as a result of seeing drug taking and violence in emergency shelter, a new study warns.
The report commissioned by Focus Ireland found people who were homeless for longer periods reported greater long-term impacts on their kids.
The charity revealed that so far this year its Family Homeless Action Team has helped house more than 300 families – but they still suffer problems.
Latest figures showed a record total of 8,374 people homeless nationally – 3,124 of them children. The independent study based on interviews with 25 families found younger children appeared to recover from the experience quicker than older siblings.
But some of the impacts of homelessness for older children only started to emerge after
they moved to their new home. Parents also told of the strain of having no place to call home can have on relationships.
One parent interviewed said: “Being homeless was so overwhelming. I never felt safe. I never felt the kids were safe.”
Focus Ireland chief Ashley Balbirnie added: “This study is the first time we have gone back to 25 of the families who have helped to secure a home and asked them what they thought of our services.
“The researchers asked parents what could have been done better, and most importantly what each parent thought had been the impact of homelessness on their children.”
Parents said their greatest fear was that their kids were exposed to drunkenness, drug-taking and violent rows involving others in emergency accommodation.
Mr Balbirnie added: “The report shows that a period of homelessness can often have a longer term impact on families and family life in general.”