Irish Examiner View: Homelessness - Neglecting an existing crisis
Amidst our convulsions over the coronavirus, we must not forget that there are other pressing social issues that have not gone away.
As the latest figures show, homelessness is one.
The latest statistics released by the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government show that 10,148 people were in emergency accommodation at the end of February — a fall of 123 compared with January.
However, these figures apply to a period before the current Covid-19 outbreak.
Self-isolation is a major challenge for homeless people.
Due to the fact that they share spaces in emergency accommodation with others, the chances of spreading disease is high.
Focus Ireland is planning to set aside around 20 housing units that are currently either finished or temporarily vacant if homeless people need to self-isolate.
There has been a significant increase in the number of homeless people leaving shared hostel accommodation over fears of becoming infected with coronavirus.
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has promised more accommodation but homelessness may nevertheless increase.
The Dublin charity Inner City Helping Homeless has said that evicted students and prisoners who have been released temporarily over Covid-19 fears are sleeping on the streets.
Amidst our concerns for those in danger of becoming infected with the coronavirus, we must not neglect an existing and longstanding crisis while we try to tackle a new one.
