Homelessness crisis - People in need being ignored

Focus Ireland should not be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year because the Government promised to eradicate homelessness by the end of 2010, but instead of meeting the targets, the problems are actually getting worse.

Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, a founder of Focus Ireland, has warned of an “entrenched homeless crisis” if people do not start to move from hostels and traditional housing into long-term homes.

The lists of the homeless are growing. Back in 1991 there were 2,700 homeless people in the country and 43,000 people on housing waiting lists. This has now jumped to 5,000 homeless, with 100,000 on council waiting lists.