BUDGET 2016: Coalition misses chance to tackle homelessness, warn groups

The Government has again failed to address the spiralling homelessness crisis, according to a number of organisations — amid warnings of more people on the streets by Christmas.

While measures in Budget 2016 included a pledge of at least an additional 9,500 social housing units by 2018 — with a third of those to be in place next year — and an increase in funding for emergency accommodation, Focus Ireland and Threshold said the Government’s plans unveiled yesterday were a missed opportunity.

In his address, Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin said tackling homelessness was a “key priority”, with action to include funding 500 modular housing units and an increase of €17m in the current allocation for emergency accommodation, meaning the total amount available for tackling homelessness next year is €70m — up 55% on last year’s figure.