Focus Ireland says new Govt Action Plan on Child & Family Homelessness is welcome as charity has called for it for a decade & child homelessness has shot up 147% in this time

“However, a plan on paper will not instantly change the lives of children living in emergency accommodation. The measures outlined must now be urgently implemented by the Minister for Housing and his Department because children experiencing homelessness simply cannot wait any longer.”

“It is positive to see that the new Plan commits to setting targets in the upcoming Housing Delivery Action Plans around the delivery of four-bedroom homes. An issue Focus Ireland has campaigned on for years, and also the commitment to standardise homelessness assessments across local authorities in line with Best Interests of the Child legislation.

He added: “We are very disappointed that the plan makes no mention of funding additional child support workers as they are vital to help protect children while they are homeless and play a key part in helping families to secure a home.  The children Focus Ireland engaged with as part of the consultation process identified Child Support Workers as one of the only positive elements of their time in emergency accommodation.”

Mr. Allen added: “The simple fact is that child homelessness is wrong. Every child deserves the safety, security, and stability of a home, yet today thousands of children are growing up in emergency accommodation. Homelessness does enormous damage to children’s lives, affecting their health, education, development, and future opportunities. That is why we believe ending child homelessness must be treated as a national priority.”