On the walls of a Kilbarrack health centre, an artist pays tribute to the beautiful ordinary
Paul MacCormaic says he hopes the works inspire an interest and pride in nearby sights, passed by everyday.
In theory, some people who are homeless are supposed to move from a bed in a hostel to centres during the day. But they’re not open all the time.
Is there a better way to organise the city’s system of homeless hostels so people who want to can stay clear of drugs and alcohol?
“It didn’t take long, no more than a week, before I stopped paying attention to what I ate,” writes Christine O’Donnell.
People who stay in the “hubs” meant for homeless families aren’t tenants, so they don’t have the same protections as people in the private rental sector under the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
Sometimes women are blamed for anti-social behaviour, when actually they were suffering domestic violence, says Niamh White of refuge Aoibhneas.
Many of those who are homeless and seeking mental health services end up waiting in hospital emergency departments. Many leave before being seen.
That idea appears to be based on a misuse of statistics by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, which was further distorted in the media.
Councillors say they don’t know where the women will go yet if and when the Abigail Centre in Finglas closes.
Overflowing bowls, used needles scattered on the floor, and trails of blood. One man who stayed there said he left after three nights said because he couldn’t hack the disgusting bathrooms.
At meetings at City Hall this week, councillors talked about changes in plans for how to use council land, possible traffic changes around Sandymount Green, and the roll-out of more “hubs” for homeless families.
“Without empathy, thousands of our fellow citizens who are homeless will become irretrievably, permanently other. But they are not other.”
A survey funded by our readers and conducted by Amárach Research asked about issues including how often people call the freephone and can’t get a bed for the night, and the conditions in the hostels when they do get in.