'Savage' Budget cuts 'will lead to rise in homelessness'

Focus Ireland has warned today that the "savage" cuts made in Budget 2011 will force more people to become homeless and will also act to keep many of the 5,000 people who are currently homeless "trapped living in limbo in long-term homelessness".

Today’s budget slashed 36% off the social housing budget and 6% from funding for HSE regions.

According to the housing group, this means €300m less for social housing provision in 2011and €400m less for HSE bodies that fund, among other services, those for people who are homeless.

Focus Ireland CEO Joyce Loughnan said: "Today’s budget will penalise people who are homeless in three separate ways. They will have their already meagre incomes cut forcing them further into poverty. The providers of homeless services will see a reduction in their funding at a time when demand for those services is on the increase. And the massive 36% cut in the social housing budget will condemn those trapped in emergency accommodation to long-term homelessness with little hope of moving on to a home.

"This will keep many families and single people trapped in homelessness and it will actually cost the State more to keep them in this emergency accommodation on a long-term basis than it would to provide homes and support to move on to independent living."

Focus Ireland also warned that homeless services will not be able to cope with the increased demand for support as more new people become homeless and less of those who are currently homeless will be able to move on to a home.