Homelessness figures have rocketed in the three years since Eoghan Murphy took office, a charity has revealed.
Simon Community has used the third anniversary of the launch of the Government’s failing Rebuilding Ireland programme to highlight the Housing Minister’s poor record.
It has called for a real plan for social accommodation not led by developers and the private sector.
Simon spokesman Wayne Stanley insisted a “sea change” is necessary in terms of public housing provision.
The charity wants to see 20,000 affordable and cost-rental homes come online in the next five years.
Figures from the organisation show the homelessness crisis has become drastically worse since Mr Murphy took charge.
The numbers have soared from 6,525 in July 2016 to 10,253 last May – the latest date official figures are available for.
Those in long-term homelessness have seen an even steeper rise – up 66% in the same period.
Simon have acknowledged some successes of the Rebuilding Ireland programme such as the establishment of the State’s Land Development Agency, but it has appealed for more radical action.
Mr Stanley said: “Dealing with this crisis requires two clear actions from the State that recognise the sea change that is needed in public housing provision.
“Firstly, it is now so clear that the State must begin planning for the provision of an additional 20,000 affordable cost rental homes around the country over the next five years.
“We acknowledge the progress in this area including the setting up of the Land Development Agency, the engagement with the European Investment Bank and development of pilot schemes.
“It is now imperative we move forward with implementation at the scale required across the country.
“Let’s see the Government identify the sites, set the targets by year end and meet them.”
He emphasised the need for “executive action” to prioritise the long-term homeless. Mr Stanley added: “A conservative estimate is one in 14 adults on local authority housing lists are in emergency accommodation.
“One of the most successful initiatives of the previous Fine Gael-led government was the introduction of a targeted short-term 50% allocation of social housing to those on the list who had been in homelessness for more than six months.
“It is time for this action again.”
“These initiatives would make a huge difference.
“Given the growing cost of the Housing Assistance Payment, it is also the fiscally prudent thing for government to do.
“There is a realistic and sensible way forward to move this crisis on. We must push on now.”
