Murphy’s social housing plan ‘falls far short’

Plans to increase the number of social houses being built “fall far short” of what is required to address the escalating crisis, a key homeless charity has claimed.

An extra 800 social houses will be built next year and 200 additional emergency beds made available by December, the housing minister has promised. Eoghan Murphy also announced €10m in additional ring-fenced funding for family hubs as demand for temporary accommodation rises.

There are now more than 8,000 people living in emergency accommodation — including 3,000 children. Meanwhile the number of people on the social housing list stands at over 90,000.