Dublin South West and Sinn Fein TD, Seán Crowe, has described the rise in homeless figures as an indictment of this government’s do nothing approach and a clear indication of their abject failure to get to grips with the housing crisis.

The Department of Housing’s latest homeless figures for July show an increase of 78 children, 64 families and 141 individuals in emergency accommodation compared to the month before. Over 8,000 people are now homeless and living in emergency accommodation.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“The rise in homelessness is a clear indication that the government hasn’t a bull’s notion how to tackle the crisis. The persistent rise in homelessness figures are an indictment of this government’s do nothing approach and their abject failure to deal in any serious way with the State’s housing emergency.

“5,187 adults and 2,973 children are currently living in emergency style accommodation with no real hope of permanent long term accommodation or a quick pathway out of their homeless situation.

“It’s clear the government is not doing enough to prevent vulnerable people from being made to homeless. They are almost like bystanders as the crisis gets worse and worse. The precarious nature of the private rented sector and landlords terminating tenancies because they are selling the property is a huge contributing factor to families finding themselves in their predicament.

“The government needs to build more social and affordable homes. It has been told countless times by housing NGOs, commentators, academics and opposition TDs that this is the only long term solution to this growing problem. The government simply is not acting with any urgency. Hubs, hotels and B&Bs are no place to raise a family, but unfortunately nearly 3,000 children across the State have no place they can call home.

“Homelessness and the housing shortage crisis are getting worse. Homeless families and their children have heard all the official excuses. They certainly don’t want to hear from government Ministers and their apologists what cannot be done, but what will be delivered. They now need a pathway from homelessness and into permanent housing and they need to believe that a realistic plan will be delivered and with some urgency.”

ENDS