Coalition reveals plans to tackle homelessness

Promises to end long-term homelessness have been welcomed as plans to fix up vacant properties and use state-owned buildings to keep families off the streets in the short-term were unveiled.

The Government’s plan to tackle homelessness includes proposals to make 2,700 units available for people by the end of 2016. s

The Cabinet agreed on the measures yesterday following recent warnings from campaigner Fr Peter McVerry that a “tsunami of homelessness” was coming, and from charities that there was a crisis.