Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has spoken on the homeless and housing crisis, and has called on the Government to end the system which forces homeless individuals and families to self-accommodate.

Deputy Crowe said:

“The Government need to accept that we are in the middle of a housing crisis and they need to declare an emergency, which necessitates an emergency response with emergency measures.

“Our housing and homelessness crisis is a national disgrace. Everyone, without discrimination, has the right to home.

“Sinn Féin has proposed costed and detailed proposals which would immediately impact on the housing and homelessness crisis.

“We need to tackle the system when homeless people have to self-accommodate.

“When an individual or a family present as homeless they contact the Council but many are told there is no accommodation available and they are told to contact hotels themselves.

“They can’t just call these hotels, they need to present in person. Many take buses to these hotels far away from where they are based, only be told there is no accommodation there and they pay for another bus back, and repeat this process again and again.

“If they are successful, they can usually only get 3-4 nights at a time, and then they must start the process once again.

“Huge amounts could not find any rooms last week and this week because of St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. Some have had to travel out of Dublin to find accommodation with their children.

“Homeless individuals and families should not have to self-accommodate. We need to urgently change this practice.”

ENDS