One in 12 fear becoming homeless

ONE in 12 people fear they will become homeless as the economic crisis continues.

Poverty, debt and arrears with mortgage or rent mean many now doubt their ability to keep a roof over their head.

Those are the findings of a survey commissioned by homeless charity Focus Ireland which revealed that 6% of people believe they are “very likely” to become homeless at some time in their life, while a further 2% said it was “quite likely”.

Most telling was the revelation that half of those who feared losing their home were in employment. If their worst fears are realised they would join the 5,000 people currently homeless across the country and the 120,000 households who are on housing waiting lists.

The survey by Ipsos MRBI was carried out a fortnight ago among a random sample of 1,000 people.

Focus Ireland chief executive Joyce Loughnan said the results highlighted the twin problems of the recession and failed government housing policies.

An election campaign by the charity aims to get voters to tackle candidates on the issue when they’re out canvassing and to force the main parties to commit to policies that would alleviate the problem.

More than 30,000 people who follow Focus Ireland on Facebook have already been contacted directly and urged to get the issue on the election agenda by raising it on their doorsteps when candidates call, and a nationwide poster campaign is also running.

Joyce Loughnan said: “Politicians need to realise that homelessness is a key issue today. Because of the level of debt and mortgage and rent arrears, fear of losing your home is a profound concern for families throughout the country.”

The charity believes it would be possible for the next government to end long-term homelessness — taking people off the streets and ensuring no-one is left in emergency accommodation for more than six months — within two years.

It says that could be achieved by funding more social and voluntary housing schemes as well as enhancing support schemes such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and Capital Assistance Scheme.