Charities urge Govt to protect homeless, disabled

The Government was today called on to end homelessness by investing in housing and support services instead of expensive emergency accommodation, and to maintain social welfares support for the disabled.

Homeless charity Focus Ireland said a dedicated revenue stream is needed for support services in the upcoming Budget if the Government has any hope ending long-term homelessness by the end of next year.

In its pre-Budget submission, Focus Ireland maintained the change in policy would be good for the exchequer and the 5,000 people who are homeless in Ireland.

Chief executive Joyce Loughnan said providing housing, complemented by a support service, costs less than half the existing provision of emergency accommodation.

She revealed housing a family in private emergency care with no support averages €29,000 per year, compared to €12,500 to house the same family with ongoing support.

“The aim of the support is to help tenants to settle and sustain a home they can call their own and live independently in the community,” she added.

Elsewhere the Rehab Group demanded Government does not reduce social welfare payments to those with a disability as they face higher day to day costs.

Angela Kerins, chief executive, said disabled people have not benefited from a drop in the cost of living.

Instead they face added expenditures like home alterations, personal assistance, special food or clothing and travel for hospital appointments.

“This research applied an approximate average figure of 40 euro per week to the cost of living with a disability,” said Ms Kerins.

“It is vital that this is recognised.”

Ms Kerins said the McCarthy report, has recommended a cut in social welfare payments of between 3% and 5%, took no account of the additional cost of living with a disability.

“As well as coping with these additional costs, those receiving Disability Allowance and rent supplement are also paying more for housing and facing higher costs in essential services like public transport than they were last year,” she added.