Childhoods ‘are being suppressed’ say Salvation Army following publishing of homeless figures

The Salvation Army has warned that the childhoods of thousands of youngsters are being ‘suppressed’ by the homeless crisis.

Department of Housing figures released this afternoon for June show there are now 1,626 homeless families in Dublin (up from 1,589 in May), including 3,666 children – a rise of 77 on May’s figure of 3,589.

The Christian church and charity, one of the biggest providers of emergency accommodation in the capital, said the grim statistics conceal a ‘truly awful impact’ on children.

“Part of a normal childhood involves inviting friends to your home, play dates and sleepovers,” said Erene Williamson, The Salvation Army’s Homeless Services Ireland Lead.

“But these things that so many of us take for granted are not enjoyed by children in emergency accommodation.

“In places such as Houben House in Harold’s Cross, Ireland’s largest homeless family hub, staff do their utmost to make living conditions as normal as possible for kids.

“We have a diverse range of activities organised to occupy them, but the fact remains that every day they are not living independently, their childhoods are being suppressed.

“That removal of a vital part of growing up is particularly acute during the summer holidays.”

The Salvation Army provides 250,000 bed nights per year in its six individual and family homeless centres across Dublin.