Ireland could see a huge surge in the number of homeless people as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a charity has warned.
Despite a drop in homeless figures in March, charity Depaul Ireland believes this could start to rise sharply if a strong plan is not put in place.
This plan would include:
- A rent freeze beyond the June 27th
- The moratorium on evictions extended beyond the June 27th
- An urgent change in the regulation of short-term lettings
- A robust exit strategy for those currently in cocooning in hotels
- Allow Local Authorities the option of negotiating longer term leases with landlords, and
- A referendum on the right to housing.
Depaul’s CEO David Carroll said: “It is imperative that measures are taken to prevent more individuals and families becoming homeless post Covid-19.
"Plans need to be put in place now in terms of mitigating against a further rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness in Ireland.
“Since the last recession homelessness in Ireland has grown exponentially. We are now facing into another recession and we simply cannot allow a scenario where homelessness grows again.
"Prevention is key as we have seen over the last number of years how difficult it has been to stem the flow of individuals and families into homelessness.
“There has been a strong effort put in by government departments, statutory agencies and everybody in the homeless sector and that has to be acknowledged and applauded.
"There has been a real drive to protect our most vulnerable however, that effort will be for nothing if we go back to the way things were before Covid-19.
"The time to plan is now and I would urge all stakeholders to sit down and begin this process.”
