Increase in demand for homeless charity’s services
Dublin People 27 Nov 2011
THE homeless charity Focus Ireland has reported an 18
per cent rise in demand for its services last year, in its latest report issued
ahead of the budget.
The agency supported more than 6,500 people in 2010,
compared to 5,500 in 2009, and demand is set to rise further by the end of this
year.
However, despite the increase in the number of
homeless people, Focus Ireland maintains that it is possible to end the blight
of homelessness even in the midst of the current economic crisis.
Speaking to Northside People, Focus Ireland chief
executive Joyce Loughnan said that with the right mix of preventative housing
and support strategies, Ireland has the capacity to end long-term homelessness
by 2013 while saving the State money.
However, she also warned that the wrong mix of these
strategies will push many more people into homelessness.
“Providing emergency homeless accommodation can cost
up to
?¬30,000 a year for a bed, while providing a home with support for those
who need it to move on from homelessness, even in Dublin, can cost less than
?¬14,500,
?
said Ms Loughnan.
“The failure to deliver homes is keeping people who
are ready to move on trapped in emergency accommodation.
“Providing access to stable housing is the final piece
of the jigsaw; ensuring that people have access to the supports needed to
sustain tenancies is an important part of this.
?
In its pre-budget submission, the charity is calling
for a number of specific measures to save money and give homeless people a
place to call home.
Their wish-list includes raising the rate of rent
supplement for single people moving out of homelessness to give them access to
decent homes, and guaranteeing no further cuts in Government funding for
homeless services.
Focus Ireland is also recommending making capital
funding available to provide social housing by returning Capital Assistance
Scheme funding to 2009 levels.
Ms Loughman said the housing is there and the support
mechanisms are there.
“The question many of us are asking is whether there
is sufficient political will in the Government to remove remaining obstacles so
that together, we can put an end to the homeless crisis,
? she added.
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