Midlands homeless figures "highlight ongoing housing failure"

At the end of April of this year 223 adults and 53 families accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation across the Midlands region.

The figures are part of the most recent Homelessness Report released by the Department of Housing

In the Midlands region (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath), hundreds of adults and children rely on local authority-managed emergency accommodation.

Homeless services, such as the Midlands Simon Community and local councils, work continuously to provide short-term shelter and transitional housing.

Commenting on the figures, Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, expressed deep concern: “The fact that 223 adults and 53 families in the Midlands are relying on emergency accommodation is a stark reminder that the housing crisis continues to devastate communities across our region.

“No family should be raising children in emergency accommodation, and no individual should be left without a secure place to call home. Yet these figures show that too many people are being failed by successive government housing policies."

Deputy Clarke said the figures do not give the full picture: “These figures represent those who were ‘fortunate’ enough to access emergency accommodation. What is not reflected in the statistics are the growing numbers of people who have nowhere to go at all.

“My office receives a huge number of calls and emails on a daily basis from individuals and families who have received Notices to Quit and are facing imminent homelessness with no alternative accommodation available."

The Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath said demand for support is growing: “We are hearing from people sleeping in cars, living in tents, couch surfing, or desperately trying to find somewhere safe for their children. Some families are being left with nowhere to turn because there are simply not enough emergency accommodation spaces available to meet demand.

“The reality is that there are not enough homes being built to meet demand."

Deputy Clarke continued: “People should not be relying on emergency accommodation. Emergency accommodation is not a solution to the housing crisis. The goal should be to ensure people have access to secure, affordable and permanent housing before they ever reach the point of homelessness.

“Homelessness figures have continued to increase under this Government’s watch.

“The legacy of Government housing policy has been a growing housing emergency, increasing rents, inadequate housing supply and record levels of homelessness. It is an absolute shambles."

Deputy Clarke called for action on the issue: “The Government must urgently accelerate the delivery of genuinely affordable homes, expand social and affordable housing programmes, and ensure that local authorities have the resources needed to prevent homelessness before families reach crisis point.

“These figures should serve as a wake-up call that much more needs to be done to tackle homelessness and provide secure, affordable homes for everyone.”