Sir, – I am writing to express our deep concern about the growing number of homeless children in Ireland and the devastating impact it is having on their lives.
With the latest release of the homelessness figures, we want to highlight the reality of the ongoing housing crisis and its impact on vulnerable families in the country.
The number of children living in emergency accommodation has increased significantly over the past year, by 26 per cent, and by 49 per cent over the past two years.
It is unacceptable that so many children are forced to live in wholly unsuitable and inappropriate emergency accommodation, which negatively affects their health and well-being, welfare and development.
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While affordable housing is the long-term solution to child homelessness, there are immediate steps that can be taken to improve the situation.
We urge the Government to consider the following.
Guarantee free transport to all children living in emergency accommodation so that they do not have to change schools. Allow families living in cramped accommodation with family members to present as homeless without having to demonstrate they can no longer continue living with family members. Ensure that families with children under 18 do not have to wait until the day they become homeless to get support. An obligation should be placed on local Government to work proactively with families at risk of homelessness in advance. Improve the minimum standard expected of emergency accommodation housing children, including the availability of cooking facilities.
At Barnardos, we have seen first-hand the impact of homelessness on children and their families.
It is heart-breaking to hear of cases where children are being forced to share one bedroom space with their parents and siblings for extended periods, where there are no facilities for cooking or doing school work, and where families are forced to move frequently, disrupting their education and support systems.
We urgently call on the Government to take immediate action to address child homelessness in Ireland.
Childhood lasts a lifetime, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that every child has a safe and secure place to call home. – Yours, etc,
SUZANNE CONNOLLY,
Chief Executive,
Barnardos,
Dublin 1.