Dundalk Simon Community says emergency accommodation situation 'incomprehensible'

CEO of Dundalk Simon Community, Catherine Kenny, has said that it "is incomprehensible that we have gotten to the point where this many people are trapped in emergency accommodation" and has called on those in power to finally tackle the problem of homelessness with the necessary tenacity to turn the crisis around.

Latest homeless figures show that there was yet another rise in the number of people accessing emergency accommodation in Louth, and the North East region, including a rise in the number of families with children.

Dundalk Simon Community said that the highest homeless figures of all time show the homelessness crisis will continue to deteriorate without concrete action, and is calling on those in power to finally tackle the problem of homelessness with the necessary tenacity to turn the crisis around.

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dundalk Simon Community, said: “As we mark the beginning of a new year, we must face the homelessness crisis with renewed energy. We cannot allow the situation to worsen for yet another year.

Read also: Rise in motor insurance related traffic offences in Louth

"It is incomprehensible that we have gotten to the point where this many people are trapped in emergency accommodation. We must put an end to record-breaking statistics and deliver workable solutions for the human beings whose lives have been upturned.” 

• prioritise immediate housing allocations for long-term emergency residents;
• accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes in line with the national strategy; 
• introduce a coordinated, cross-departmental framework to tackle homelessness as the multi-layered crisis it is.