Homelessness a humanitarian crisis, say Simon Communities

At a forum organised by the Simon Communities in Dublin, the charity argued the issue of housing and homelessness was now “out of control” and needed immediate Government intervention.

Recent figures from the Department of Environment show that there are almost 5,000 people currently in emergency accommodation, including 707 families, 1,495 children, and 2,413 single people.

The charity accused the Government of failing badly in its response to the crisis. Simon claimed it would not meet its commitment to end long-term homelessness and rough sleeping by 2016.