Charities want to end homelessness in four years

A campaign spearheaded by four leading charities was launched today to end homelessness over the next four years.

With a Government target of 2010 set for ending rough sleeping, the NGOs claimed Ireland now has the chance to make global history by solving the crisis for good.

The MakeRoom Campaign wants to see an extra 10,000 social houses built each year.

And the charities said they want a situation where nobody sleeps rough; nobody stays in emergency accommodation for longer than absolutely necessary and nobody becomes homeless because of a lack of services.

The initiative is being driven by Focus Ireland, Simon Communities of Ireland, Society of St Vincent de Paul and Threshold.

Declan Jones, chief executive of Focus Ireland, claimed the crisis could be ended if the political will was there.

“With an average life expectancy of only 42 years for a person sleeping rough, it is essential that we use our economic capacity to deliver real solutions so that such statistics are consigned to history,” he said.

The campaign outlined a series of solutions to tackle the ongoing problem. The needs of individuals must be addressed along with more housing, initiatives in the rental sector and preventative measures to stop people ending up on the streets.

Mr Jones added: “What is essential in delivering success in the MakeRoom campaign is political will. This is why we are seeking public support for the campaign.”

The Make Room campaign called on individuals and workplaces to commit to every individual’s right to decent, secure accommodation and advocate for an end to homelessness with local politicians.

“Strong public support to MakeRoom will give us the political leadership needed to deliver an end to homelessness by 2010,” Mr Jones said.

As part of the MakeRoom Campaign, a website was unveiled www.makeroom.ie offering detailed information on policies that can provide a sustainable solution to homelessness. Visitors to the site are invited to sign a statement of support to the campaign.