Solving the homeless crisis: The people's view

Reporter Roisin Burke took to the streets yesterday to find out what you had to say on the worsening homelessness crisis.

Her journey to Cork city centre has taken on more resinence in light of the death of a homeless woman who was sleeping rough in the city last night.

Claire Lawless

Claire Lawless, Gurranabraher: It's very sad.

I think there are a lot of empty places should be given out. The old Prison should be used. The Victoria Hotel on Patrick Street should be put to use. The facilities are there, ready.

The homelessness crisis is bad and it is getting worse. It is affecting all ages, all generations. I don’t think there should be anyone on the streets for Christmas.

It’s very sad.

The charities are doing their best.

The Government needs to give more money to charities, help them to help others.

Efosa Omoreqie

Efosa Omoreqie, City Centre: More can be done.

I think more money should be given to charities such as Cork Simon and SVP. I walk through town late at night and you do see a good few people being homeless, there are 10 to 15 people lining the streets every night.

It’s not great to see, no one should be in that position. The Government should do more. Individuals should do more, walks, charity runs, more can be done.

Anna Casey

Anna Casey, Gurranabraher: The Government needs to step up.

The homeless need to be taken off the streets. It is terrible, but the question then is where do you put them?

I think you should buy big derelict buildings and make them livable, but vigilante is not the way, the Government needs to step up.

There needs to be more money put aside to tackle the issue.

Don Cahalane

Don Cahalane, Blackrock: Need to look at the root causes.

I don't think it will ever be eradicated, there are always going to be people who don’t fit into any system, through misfortune or otherwise.

It is a difficult question to answer. We need to look at the root causes: Addiction, poverty, they need to be tackled first. We need to improve facilities to treat addiction, look at the poverty trap, and offer assistance, stop people falling into it.

Breda McNamara

Breda McNamara, Knocknaheeny: Very sad.

It is awful, very sad. Some people don’t want to go to the shelters because of the bad publicity so they are staying on the streets.

I think all the boarded up houses, should be opened up for the bad weather. Only for the charities, we would be burying them all.

Colette Dineen

Colette Dineen, Cloyne: Underlying issues need to be addressed.

I have no idea what can be done. It is pretty scary and frightening.

The underlying issues need to be addressed; drink and drugs, but when you have families and babies on the street, that is the result of the housing crisis.

There are a combination of factors to blame, I think it is a cop-out to blame the Government. It is not all down to them.

This article first appered in the Evening Echo as part of their ongoing series on homelessness.