Government giving up on drive to end homelessness – Ellis

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has today said that new figures on homelessness and rough sleeping from the Simon Community give lie to the government’s claims they are committed to ending homelessness by 2016. He made his comments as The Simon Community; a leading charity dealing with homelessness, released figures that show rough sleeping has gone up by 88% in just one year.

Deputy Ellis continued;

“This is another in a spate of recent figures released by housing organisations, which show levels of homelessness at a record high and growing. The last figures released on rough sleep showed just less than half the level of growth these figures show which highlights the alarming rate at which things are getting worse.

The government may have made much of their commitment to the very realisable goal of ending homelessness by 2016 but all of their policies indicate they are not serious about dealing with the problem at all. Homelessness is not going to be solved by organisations like Simon, great as they are. It will be solved a by dedicated government policy which provides necessary services and support as well as the most essential ingredient secure, adequate housing.

This government have slashed the housing budget and cut homelessness services and they intend to do so again in the upcoming budget. To end homelessness we need real investment which would not only tackle this terrible stain on our society but also create jobs and in the long run save money. The cost of homelessness is much greater than the cost of ending it.”

Fine Gael and Labour to force 4.5 million cut in homeless services in Dublin – Ellis

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has blasted the government’s plan to cut €4.5 million from funding for homeless services in Dublin city. The cuts were confirmed by the Head of Finance at Dublin City Council, reporting that the Department of Environment had informed her of this plan for 2014.

Deputy Ellis continued:

“This is a shocking move by the government which has disingenuously committed itself to ending long term homelessness by 2016, a goal made farcical by its own policy decisions.

“Spending on housing and homelessness should be protected in the up-coming budget having been slashed for five consecutive years. This move is the betrayal of a promise made by the government only seven months ago.”

“The news comes in the week that the Peter McVerry Trust reported more people needing hot food and emergency shelter from them and Focus Ireland saying that there are seven new homeless people in the state every day.

“These groups have called for a political solution to the problem of homelessness. They have called for the government to play its part.

“There are 5000 people homeless, growing numbers sleeping rough and many tens of thousands living in housing not suitable for human habitation. This cut of €4.5 million (10.7% cut from 42 million in 2012) will be devastating to those who depend on these services.

“Homeless people are at much greater risk of physical and mental ill-health, as well as being vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse.