It is a time of year when we are all in love with out decked out, warm and cozy homes.
We watch movies under warm blankets, light fires and fairy lights and surround ourselves with family, friends and food.
We are lucky. The reality is starkly different for the 705 families, including 1,466 children currently living in emergency accommodation in Dublin.
According to figures due to be published by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) today, this shows a 98 percent increase from the same week only a year ago, where “only” 741 homeless children were registered. That means TWICE as many children in the capital do not have a home to spend Christmas in this year.
According to DRHE, of the 705 families, 205 including 417 children are in supported homeless accommodation, while 500 families with 1,049 children are in hotels.
Despite the grim statistics, there was, however, a reduction in the number of new families coming into homelessness last month, and an increase in families moving from homelessness into tenancies. However, Focus Ireland remains clear that they do not think enough is being done about tackling the homelessness crisis in Ireland. Roughan MacNamara, advocacy and communications manager with Focus Ireland, said if “tackling homelessness had been a priority for the Government, there would have been a far greater response.”
“We should have seen not just an emergency response but much more action to keep people in their existing homes in the first place,” MacNamara explains to the Irish Times. “It is vital to stress you don’t have to build or access one single new home or housing unit to do this. These people are in homes now as I speak. What is required is firm action by the Government to keep them there and to stop them becoming homeless.”
If YOU want to help someone who does not have a home to go home to this Christmas, organizations and charities working to fight homelessness will no doubt be very happy for a donation to assist with their important work.
