Time to be ‘hands on’ about housing

Sir — The National Housing Conference in Dublin Castle last week highlights why so many people are confused and frustrated by the lack of awareness around homelessness and the housing deficit.

Many taking part clearly came from the world of architecture and planning. While I don’t doubt their value, where were the other agencies required to bring about solutions?

There is no general understanding of the difference between the lack of housing and homelessness. The structural causes for the lack of housing and the social causes underpinning homelessness continue to be conflated, thus confusing the public debate.

This allows various government agencies off the hook and adds to the frustration and disillusionment among the general populace that a solution to either problem will ever be found.

Until those with hands-on experience and those who can put bricks and mortar together are involved in the “debate”, the problems will only grow.

Alice Leahy, Bride Road, Dublin 8