THE number of
people seeking emergeny accommadation and sleeping rough on the streets of
Dublin is on the increase according to homeless agency Simon.
Over 2,500 people
sought the services of Dublin Simon last year and early morning city street
counts increased by 26 per cent (averaging 40 per night) for the second quarter
of 2011, compared to the same period last year.
The number of
people receiving sleeping bags or packs from Dublin Simon’s rough sleeper team
has increased by nearly 35 per cent over the same period.
Speaking at last
week’s launch of its annual review CEO of Dublin Simon, Sam McGuinness, called
for increased bed capacity and help for the homeless.
“The recent
upsurge in people requesting sleeping bags because they have not been able to
access emergency beds is extremely troubling,
? he said.
“Also worrying is
the increase in the number of people presenting to our services throughout 2010
and into 2011, despite the fact that over 1,000 people are already being
accommodated in emergency beds throughout the Dublin Region on a nightly
basis.
?
The Dublin Simon
Community increased the number of beds provided by 27.5 per cent to 169 per
night between January 2010 and June this year and doubled its temporary
emergency bed capacity.
The organisation’s
rough sleeper team who encourage rough sleepers to access emergency
accommodation, offer support with health and social support services and
provide a backpack needle exchange helped 2,532 people in 2010.
“The rise in basic
need is most evident in frontline services with people trying to access
emergency accommodation,
? continued Mr McGuinness.
“In 2010 only 24
per cent of the critical 1,200 housing units promised were delivered to people
who were long term homeless. Despite efforts to secure properties such as
social letting, private accommodation, acquisitions and properties provided by
approved housing bodies, people who are homeless also had to compete with other
groups for rented accommodation.
“Problems
affecting the housing pipeline include housing still stuck in NAMA and between
NAMA and the banks. At the end of 2010 an estimate put the number of vacant
properties in the Dublin region at 23,000 – meanwhile we continue to have a
housing famine amongst plenty.
?
Dublin Simon have
acknowledged that significant improvements continue to be made in the
elimination of one-night-only bed availability and poor quality facilities.
However, it says
people still have no home to go to and are desperate to find temporary
emergency accommodation at the very least. It’s feared the urgency will become
more acute if a predicted early cold winter occurs.
“We accept that in
the present economic uncertainty cuts are a fact of Irish life,
? said Mr
McGuinness.
“Since 2009 we have sustained annual funding reductions from some
State organisations.
“There is now
clear evidence of a significant surge in demand for emergency services and
housing – but with only limited availability. It is not wise or prudent to
inflict further financial austerity in funding for homeless services and
supports across the Dublin region with an emerging demand tsunami in sight,
causing more suffering to the very vulnerable.
?
Sinn Féin
spokesperson on Housing Dessie Ellis is blaming lack of action from the
Government on the rising statistics, pointing out that there’s 23,000
apartments lying empty around the city.
“The last
Government made a commitment to implement a strategy to end homelessness,’ he
said.
‘The date for this work to be done has come and passed. Fine Gael and
Labour have done nothing to further this cause since taking office despite the
great opportunity presented by the idea of a social dividend from NAMA.
“The Simon
Community across Ireland along with many other organisations are doing great
work with homeless people. But the Government must live up to its
responsibility. NGOs cannot carry the burden of this serious issue.
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