Cathal BarryThe Government needs to “face up” to the crisis of homelessness, Bro. Kevin Crowley of the Capuchin Day Centre has warned.
Criticising as “appalling” the current lack of social housing for homeless families in Dublin in particular, the leading campaigner called on the Government to urgently invest in housing.
“It’s up to the Government to face up to the problem. They need to invest money in social housing because the situation is only getting worse,” he told The Irish Catholic.
“We are now seeing more and more families in distress in the sense that they are left in the unknown. They don’t know what is going to happen to them in the long term accommodation wise.
“The whole thing seems to be getting worse. The housing situation is absolutely appalling,” the Capuchin said.
Describing as “cruel” the policy of placing families in hotels as emergency accommodation, the Capuchin insisted that such short term plans were “not resolving” any problems, rather “creating” them. “The amount of money that is being spent on hotels is appalling. Families may be getting a room but they are getting no food. It’s awful for children in particular,” he said.
Bro. Crowley, who has led the Capuchin Day Centre’s activities since its foundation in 1969, pointed to the fact that children would soon be starting back at school.
“How can you expect children to study or do homework in a cramped hotel room,” he questioned.
“In some cases they can’t even get to the schools with bus fares and all the associated costs,” he said.
Rejecting the notion that responsibility lies entirely with local authorities, Bro. Crowley said “it’s difficult for the authorities because they probably haven’t got the money”.
“It’s up to the Government to provide the money and give the go-ahead for proper housing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the homelessness crisis is not a question of a lack of resources or money.
“It is a case of having joined-up thinking, common sense and a response to emergencies as they arise,” Mr Kenny said.