Homeless crisis must be tackled

AS we settle into the new year it is worth giving some consideration to what is being done to ensure people without a home are given the services and supports they deserve.

Thousands remain homeless and many sleep rough or have emergency accommodation in shelters or B&B premises.

All those who are involuntarily sharing with family or friends are among the hidden homeless. Also in this category are those in insecure accommodation and people living in substandard housing.

People at risk of becoming homeless form a third category. They may have health problems in addition to the other factors.

The disgrace of children, young adults in need of drug rehabilitation and older people sleeping on our streets cannot be allowed to continue. There is a need for more than just accommodation.

Counselling and rehabilitation services for addicts and alcoholics, as well as job advice, are all elements of a national strategy that could make a meaningful dent in our homeless population.

The most immediate requirement, particularly at this very cold time of year, is to ensure people are taken off the streets.

On enquiry, a Department of the Environment spokesperson advised it was important to have a mechanism in place locally to ensure services were available to homeless people. I learned nothing new there.

Were is not for Cork Simon, St Vincent de Paul, Threshold, Focus Ireland and others, things would be much worse.

The Government must make additional funding available for these agencies and the HSE and take whatever steps are necessary, including the requisitioning of buildings.

Cllr Noel Collins

‘St Jude’s’

Midleton

Co Cork