More than 100 HAP tenants in Dublin lost their homes after poor conditions flagged
“An innocent tenant, through no fault of their own, ends up back homeless because a landlord doesn’t carry out the works,” says one councillor.
Media reports suggesting a planned ban prompted a protest outside City Hall, and condemnations and denials from councillors inside during their monthly meeting Monday.
But when he went to the International Organisation for Migration, they said they wouldn’t help him get there because his home is too dangerous.
“The private rental market is not a solution to the housing crisis, most particularly for Travellers. Councils are also failing to deliver.”
Homeless accommodation is completely unsuitable for families with children with disabilities or special needs, says Mike Allen, of Focus Ireland.
At issue is whether the council will get the equivalent back in funding, or credit for doing it, councillor said.
It’s an indicator that those running homeless services expect the problem to get worse.
Those working at Traveller organisations say there is a worsening humanitarian crisis, as more Travellers face homelessness and overcrowding.
There are twice as many adults in privately run hostels – and significantly lower standards for them.
“We’re just trying to get people through one more night on the streets,” says Kiera Gill, a founder of A Lending Hand, a voluntary on-street homeless service.
Studies have found that asylum seekers are more likely than the general population to have post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
But some people have had unexplained difficulties trying to get beds.
The changes would “100 percent, unequivocally, lead to an increase in people sleeping outside”, says the CEO of a day centre for homeless people.