Homeless figures could reach 16,000 by next election, warns Peter McVerry

Father Peter McVerry said: "To solve the housing crisis, we need a Minister for Housing who's angry enough to bang heads together and get things done.” Photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

The number of people left homeless could reach 16,000 by the time the next general election comes around, according to Fr Peter McVerry.

The most recent figures show there are 12,847 people in emergency accommodation — a record high. Nearly 4,000 of those are children.