Long-term homelessness a scandal, says McVerry

SOCIAL campaigner Fr Peter McVerry SJ said last night it was a scandal people remained homeless for many years. While families seeking accommodation obviously had priority, “single homeless people can be waiting six, seven, or 10 years on a waiting list.”

Fr McVerry, a champion of young homeless people, is to receive the Humanitarian Award and a cheque for €100,000 at the 2006 Meteor Ireland Music Awards early next month.

“We have six different centres. Some are totally dependent on fundraising and all are dependent to a lesser or greater degree on our own fundraising. We need to raise in the region of €600-€700,000 a year, so it (the Meteor cheque) will go towards the running costs of our centres. It will make a huge difference to this year’s running costs,” he said.