“It’s giving colonialism”: Ireland still owes rent to dukes and earls
Although, even though the OPW lists these rents as payable, some of the named beneficiaries say they haven't been getting them.
While life in hotels for homeless families was already hard, many say it’s getting tougher – and worry where they’ll get food from, where the kids can play, and where to do laundry.
“It is all well and good the government saying to self-isolate, but you can’t do that if you have nowhere to live,” says Cameron Neilson.
“What gives me hope is seeing ordinary people organising to help each other when they’ve been so utterly failed by their government. With this illustration I hope to highlight and celebrate that,” writes illustrator Karen Vaughan.
Maybe they should remain in state care until they have somewhere else to go. Or maybe the council should ring-fence some social homes specifically for care leavers who need them.
Neither Tusla nor the Dublin Region Homeless Executive have accessible data around how many, but some say they should. “We can only address a problem properly when we understand the scale of it.”
Facilities “are not employing qualified, trained case workers to deal with the complex issues”, says Anthony Flynn, CEO of Inner City Helping Homeless.
Homeless HAP rates, which are higher, should be available to people earlier, say some Dublin councillors – although that raises questions about inflation of rents.
To use his nebuliser, he needs a plug. It’s not a problem when he’s in hospital or within easy reach of a socket. It’s different when he’s left on the streets.
“I’m happy to have a well-run hub in my area to house people who are homeless. Well-run is the important part,” says Labour Councillor Mary Freehill.
Figures suggest that what the council pays for homeless-hostel beds has risen. But it’s really hard to tell, which is a problem in itself, councillors say.
Miscategorisations in accounts and a lack of transparency make it hard to work out what services, exactly, the council is getting for its money.
Oppressive rules mean homeless families placed in The Bonnington hotel face a hostile environment, according to people who’ve been through it. Their complaints have fallen on deaf ears, they say.