“It is Victorian-era legislation,” says Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland. “This approach is rooted in poor law provisions and is widespread in homeless services across the world.”
Misinformation from council officials, and responses to queries that are less than true, are stopping councillors from carrying out their duties and advocating for vulnerable people, says independent Councillor Anthony Flynn.
Emails and a recorded phone call between DRHE staff and Louisa Santoro of the Mendicity Institution show how homeless people can be turned away by the council, even on nights where there are tens of spare beds.
“These people are caught in a catch-22 situation and they are going to be on the streets the whole winter and for the whole of lockdown,” says Anthony Flynn, CEO of Inner City Helping Homeless.
Since lockdown, anyone who is newly homeless has struggled to be recognised as such, says Louisa Santoro, CEO of the Mendicity Institution, while those from outside of Dublin have been locked out of the system.
The council can give a higher rate of the rent subsidy HAP to home-hunters at risk of homelessness. But have they tightened the rules around who qualifies?
At Monday’s monthly council meeting City Engineer John Flanagan issued a report to councillors about four major cycling projects in the city, and more.
Director Daniel F. Holmes follows Irish footballers at the Homeless World Cup, showing how sport can give a sense of purpose to those who’ve suffered hardship and misfortune.
Inner City Helping Homeless says the number of rough sleepers has increased lately, reaching 164 at the highest point, but the DRHE says the figure is around 50 or 60.
