Connolly reacts to homeless figures - calls for urgent reversal of policy based on the right to a home
Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has reacted to yesterday’s homelessness figures released by the Department of Housing by calling for an urgent reversal of policy based on a constitutional right to a home.
A total of 16,353 people in the State have been recorded as homeless, according to the latest figures, with figures for August showing the number of people in emergency accommodation which increased by 295 from the previous month, 131 of them children.
“We have long since reached the point of unacceptability in homelessness figures. But today’s figures which show a 12% increase in a year and 1,950 people aged 18-24 in emergency accommodation should be an urgent turning point. Many of these people are families with young children,” said Connolly.
“252 of these people are over 65. Let us reflect on each one of these individuals, their lives, their health and the lack of compassion in our system that leaves all of them vulnerable and outside the norm of society, without a permanent home.
“All of these people have a right to a home - something which I believe should be enshrined in our constitution - before we can say we are a decent, compassionate republic in deed and not just in name.
“As I have said, housing policy is entirely within the remit of the local councils and the Irish Government, not the Irish President.
“However, if I am lucky enough to be elected as the next President, I will speak up for our people’s rights to a home and for our core values of fairness, compassion and support.
“As so many have said, the right to a home cannot be provided by the market. We must learn that lesson and reverse this policy now, viewing a home as a public good and a universal human right.
“As a TD, I have consistently called for a referendum on the right to a home so that we can turn the tide and begin building an Ireland we can all be proud of”.
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