Thousands of Irish families face imminent homelessness, that is simply unacceptable

Independent Ireland General Secretary Richard O'Donoghue TD has condemned the continued failings of the government following a Threshold report that reveals homelessness is an Imminent threat to thousands of Irish families, "It is quite simply unacceptable" said O'Donoghue.

O'Donoghue, has issued a stark warning about the escalating homelessness crisis, emphasizing the government's failure to address the pressing issues affecting citizens across all socioeconomic levels.

"The recent data from Threshold highlights a distressing trend: more than 1,950 new households contacted the housing charity between April and June this year, all at imminent risk of homelessness," O'Donoghue stated. "This is no longer just a problem for those on the poverty line or those unfortunate people that may be struggling with addiction; homelessness can now affect anyone in our society."

Threshold's reports reveal that 40% of those seeking help from its advisors did so due to tenancy termination. While the charity has worked tirelessly to assist households in remaining in their homes or finding alternative housing, these efforts are becoming increasingly challenging. The shrinking availability of rental properties and landlords' rights to evict for property sales exacerbate the crisis.

John-Mark McCafferty, CEO of Threshold, said at The charity's recent 'We Are Generation Rent' report highlighted that 74% of their clients struggle to pay bills and other household expenses after paying rent.

"The government's failure to address these critical issues is evident," O'Donoghue continued. "The traditional view of 'Generation Rent' as young people in early career stages or education is outdated. The 2022 Census data shows a growing number of those aged 40 and over now living in private rental accommodation. This broader demographic shift towards renting over homeownership is a clear indication that our current housing policies are inadequate."

In response to this crisis, Independent Ireland is committed to delivering a comprehensive policy to address these issues in our upcoming General Election Manifesto. "We need bold and innovative solutions to ensure every citizen has access to secure and affordable housing. Our manifesto will outline concrete steps to achieve this goal," O'Donoghue assured.