Minister Called To Make A Statement On Latest Homeless Figures In Dublin

Sinn Fein has called on the Minister to make a statement on the latest homeless figures in Dublin.

Data released by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive revealed an increase of 150 children in emergency accommodation in July from the month previous.

Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said the figures were "deeply disturbing but not surprising".

He said: "There are now 1178 adults with 2427 children in emergency accommodation in the Dublin region. This is an increase of 150 children since June; the largest ever increase in the number of children without a home.

"The figures also show two other worrying trends. The numbers of families with children in commercial hotels and BnBs has risen to 753 despite a commitment to transfer these families into HUBs, HAP accommodation or permanent Council housing by the end of the summer.


"The figures also show that only 48 families have been moved into HUBs, purpose built family emergency accommodation, despite a commitment from Eoghan Murphy to have at least 200 families in such accommodation by the end of the summer.

"There are two reasons why the family homeless crisis is getting worse. The government is not going enough to stem the flow of families into homelessness. They are also not buying enough homes to move people from emergency accommodation into permanent housing.

"I am urging the Minister for Housing to reconsider the Focus Ireland amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act which his party and Fianna Fáil refused to support last December. This would restrict the grounds on which a landlord can seek vacant possession of a property they he or she intends to sell.This would go a long way to keeping vulnerable tenants in the private sector.

"I am also calling to the Minister to explain why of the 1100 homes offered to Government to purchase by AIB, BOI and PTSB last year, only 300 have been bought to date. If he wants to get people out of emergency accommodation, he must adopt a more aggressive approach to purchasing turn key vacant homes for people who are homelessness."

(CD/MH)