Tackling homelessness

Homelessness is becoming a major problem in our towns and cities.

There is a need for more than just accommodation. Counselling services, rehabilitation services for addicts and alcoholics and guidance with a career path, are all elements of a national strategy that could make a meaningful dent in our homeless population.

What is required is a national strategy on homelessness which would ensure that people don’t fall through the system. The disgrace of children and young adults in need of drug rehabilitation and older people sleeping on our streets cannot be allowed to continue.

Special outreach and resettlement services need to be developed, which will work with the voluntary agencies and target people who are living and sleeping rough.

Cllr Noel Collins

St Jude’s

Midleton, Co Cork