The homeless numbers increased to 8,728 in July, up from 8,699 in June. In July, there were 2,651 children in 1,142 families homeless, according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing.
"The bikes donated by An Post will certainly help us provide food parcels for up to 1,400 people," said Fr Seán Donohoe of the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin.
Homeless figures had passed 10,000 in January 2020 but in June they were down to 8,699, which is 177 less than in May. Of the 8,699 people accessing emergency accommodation in June, 6,046 were adults and 2,653 dependents. There were 1,159 families in emergency accommodation.
"As you log your distance, you will also receive updates about which town you are approaching next, recipes on typical meals along the way, related books, films, podcasts and playlists to keep you in the Camino spirit!" says Laura Hoban of Focus Ireland.
There is a remarkable success story about last year’s Trócaire collection box, which featured a Ugandan girl, Patricia, on its cover.
The pretty eight-year-old was chosen as a ‘poster child’ for the Catholic overseas development aid agency’s 2019 Lenten fundraising because of the plight in which she and her family found [...]
Focus Ireland and its partners have moved 80 families with 150 children out of homelessness since the start of the COVID-19 restrictions, while the Peter McVerry Trust has housed 26 people since the virus struck and expects more to move soon.
It was humbling to visit Simon Armagh to offer our support and to speak and pray with the residents and staff, says Archbishop Martin.
“I am extremely proud of the way the team in Crosscare have responded to the crisis,” said Conor Hickey, director of Crosscare.
Pontiff pays tribute to the “saints who live next door” describing the doctors, volunteers, religious sisters, priests and shop workers who continue to perform their duty as “heroes”.
The January homeless figures were back up to 10,271 after a one-month dip in December 2019.
There were month-on-month decreases across all demographic and accommodation categories represented in the Department of Housing’s reports.
Fr Peter McVerry said it is because of their safety and comradeship that so many people who are homeless elect to live in tents.
“The next homeless person we meet, we might treat them with a little more sympathy and kindness. For whatever we do to the least of our sisters and brothers, we do it to Jesus” – Fr Howard.
The annual fast began twenty-eight years ago and has since raised an estimated €750,000 for worthy causes.
Crosscare will give unwanted items to people living with very little, as well as the homeless.
Just ten minutes a day of reading with children of all ages can help create readers for life and make a crucial difference to their future.
The research allows the Peter McVerry Trust to move beyond anecdotal reports from young men who use homeless services about how they fared in the education system and it will help influence the future education strategies of the State.
"It is totally unacceptable for a rich country like Ireland that so many children have no place to call home,” said SVP National President Kieran Stafford.
Although many of Ireland’s homeless have phones, few can afford data all the time.
According to the Department of Housing’s figures there are 3,848 homeless children across 1,726 families, while the total number of homeless reached 10,338 in August 2019.
There has been a failure to stem the flow of families and individuals into homelessness every month, says Focus Ireland CEO, Pat Dennigan.
Every day the Capuchin Centre meets the tragic human casualties of failed government policies, says Bro Kevin Crowley OFM.
“A review should look at both the successes and the things that need to change ... This includes actively building social housing, taxing those who hoard building land and better protecting the rights of tenants facing eviction” – Mike Allen.
“Demolitions in Sur Baher serve only to undermine the human rights of Palestinians and jeopardise hopes for long-term peace and a two-state solution.”
“The electorate want this problem solved, believes it can be solved but does not believe any party has yet put forward the solutions that are needed to solve it. It is up to the newly elected councillors to show what can be done” – Pat Dennigan, Focus Ireland.
Focus Ireland stressed that much good work is being done but the crisis will continue without a substantial increase in social housing provision as a matter of urgency and a move away from providing yet more emergency accommodation and hubs.
Those who need support and those who provide support are foremost in our thoughts, says Catholic Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy.
Commenting on the DRHE plan, the Immigrant Council of Ireland stated: “It is so important to be careful with language – just because a family is non-EU does not mean they don’t have legal status or housing rights. Everyone has a right to shelter.”
“On this special day let us renew our commitment to equality, social justice and care for all our vulnerable people, so many of whom continue to struggle for the very necessities of life.”
“Solving homelessness is not a matter of moving people between sofa surfing, hotel rooms and Hubs, it is about providing an adequate supply of affordable, secure homes, with support where needed,” said Mike Allen.
