Sinn Féin Outlines 18 Recommendations For Homeless Youth Strategy

Sinn Féin has unveiled a document featuring 18 recommendations for the government's new homeless youth strategy.

This strategy is currently under public consultation, with locals invited to have a say in shaping the plan.

Some of the recommendations outlined by Sinn Féin include: setting a date for a referendum to enshrine the right to housing in the Constitution; creating a statutory definition of youth homelessness using the FEANTSA framework as a model; banning rent increases for at least three years for all new and existing tenancies and increase security of tenure for renters; and ensuring the 50% discretionary homeless HAP rate is available across the State and not just in Dublin as at present.


Speaking about his party's new document on the homeless youth strategy, Eoin Ó Broin TD said: "A new plan is urgently needed as the latest figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage show that 1,111 people aged between 18 and 24 were accessing emergency homeless accommodation.

"The Sinn Féin submission to the strategy makes 18 recommendations which we believe need to be taken in order to make real progress.

"Our submission is informed by the work of FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless, and NGOs active on the issue including the Irish Coalition to End Youth Homelessness.

"There is a need for a dedicated approach to preventing and tackling homelessness experienced by young people.

"The government must listen to those organisations and experts in the field youth homelessness and more importantly to young people themselves.

"I would urge the Government to consider the range of policy interventions detailed above and we commit to working with Government on these or any other measures that are designed to prevent and assist young people experiencing homelessness."