NORTHSIDE based
priest and champion of the homeless,Fr Peter McVerry, has spoken out about his
frustration, anger and shame of having to turn people away from his shelters at
a time when the city has a glut of empty properties.
The Ballymun
resident and founder of the Peter McVerry Trust told Northside People how his
charity is unable to cater for the number of homeless people who turn to it for
help.
“There’s no
doubt that the number of homeless people has increased significantly in the
last 12 months,
? he explained.
“But our hands
are somewhat tied because we’ve had a 25 per cent reduction in our funding in
the last three years.
“We’ve had many
nights when we’ve had to turn people away leaving them with nowhere to sleep
but the streets and it’s got to the stage where I’m reluctant to put anyone on
the waiting list because it’s so long.
“It used to be
two weeks but now it’s more like three months.
?
Fr McVerry
believes that the recession has significantly added to the homelessness crisis,
as money worries have caused many relationships to break down.
The Trust is
supporting twice as many people as this time last year and has been forced to
cut its expenditure down to a
“bare minimum
?.
“In the 22
years since we opened our first hostel, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced
such hopelessness about the homelessness situation,
? he revealed.
“It breaks my
heart and I feel I shouldn’t have to tell people that there’s nothing we can
do.
“It’s an
absolute disgrace and a total scandal that we as a country are allowing people
to live like this.
“We are not
that poor of a country that we can’t afford to see to it that everyone has a
bed to sleep in, especially when there are so many vacant units in our towns
and cities.
?
He added:
“The
failure of the Government and State to provide for the most vulnerable people
in our society is an absolute scandal.
?
There has been
a dramatic increase in the number of non-Irish nationals who have been left
with little option but to sleep rough, according to Fr McVerry.
“These are
people who came to this country to work but lost their jobs in the recession,
?
he explained.
“They are not
entitled to social welfare so they have no money for food or accommodation.
They are trapped in their homelessness and trapped in this country.
?
Fr McVerry
fears that the homelessness situation will inevitably lead people to abuse
drugs to cope with life on the streets.
“If people
suddenly find themselves sleeping rough because they’ve lost their jobs or their
personal relationships have broken down, they will undoubtedly feel very low,
demoralised and desperate,
? he explained.
“Drugs will be
in their face and it does become very difficult to keep saying no, so often
people are likely to give in and take something to give them a little buzz and
to make things a little more bearable, even if it is for a short time.
?
The Peter
McVerry Trust relies heavily on the public and private sector for financial
support and donations so it can continue to provide vital services to young
homeless people.
?¢ If you would
like to help Open Doors For Homeless People, contact Peter McVerry Trust on
8230776 or visit www.pmvtrust.ie