Homeless charities have expressed concerns over reports that local authorities could stop families who refuse multiple social housing offers from accessing emergency accommodation.
The Irish Examiner reported this week that the government could give Ireland’s city and county councils the power to remove offers of homeless accommodation to those who repeatedly decline an offer of housing.
It comes as homeless figures continue to climb to record levels, with 15,747 people – including 4,844 children – living in emergency accommodation during May.
Ber Grogan, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, described the government’s proposal as a “kite-flying” exercise that does not address the undersupply of housing that is driving up homeless figures, adding that it would ultimately mean more people sleeping rough.
Ber spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about all of this.
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