NGOs Launch Campaign to End Homelessness

Issued : Wednesday 25 October, 2006

Embargo 1pm Wednesday, 25th October 2006

Ireland can make global history by becoming one of the first nations to end homelessness, according to a new campaign launched today by four of the main housing and homelessness NGOs.

The MakeRoom Campaign - which is being spearheaded by Focus Ireland, the Simon Communities of Ireland, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and Threshold - said that with strong political leadership, a responsive policy agenda and adequate resources, homelessness could be ended.

The target of 2010 for ending rough sleeping and long-term homelessness has been set by the Government, and will be highlighted throughout this campaign.

By ending homelessness, MakeRoom want to arrive at a situation where nobody will sleep rough; nobody will stay in emergency accommodation for longer than is absolutely necessary and nobody will become homeless because of a lack of appropriate services.

According to Declan Jones, Chief Executive of Focus Ireland, speaking on behalf of MakeRoom, "this unique collaborative campaign has come about because all of our organisations believe it is possible to end homelessness.

"In recent years, the profile of homelessness has changed, with fewer people sleeping rough. However, thousands of people remain without a home, many living for years in insecure hostel or emergency and temporary accommodation. Turning the corner on homelessness will require much more comprehensive and sustainable housing solutions.

"The first step in the solution to homelessness lies in the delivery of a needs-assessment. This means assessing the housing and other needs of every person who becomes homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless. Individual solutions can then be developed to meet each person's needs, including appropriate housing and support services such as counselling and healthcare.

"A good needs assessment structure applied across statutory and voluntary agencies will mean that no person falls through the net, and - for once - we will have in place an accurate and current statistical profile of homelessness.

"Delivering more and better housing is of course a critical solution. Substantially increasing the annual output of social housing to 10,000 units per year and improving the ongoing funding for the management and maintenance of such housing is essential.

"Initiatives in the area of rented accommodation, ongoing support for people moving out of homelessness and interventions to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first instance are among the six policy proposals that MakeRoom is seeking implemented.

"With an average life expectancy of only 42 years for a person sleeping rough, it is essential that we use our economic capacity to deliver real solutions so that such statistics are consigned to history.

"What is essential in delivering success in the MakeRoom campaign is political will. This is why we are seeking public support for the campaign. Individuals, workplaces and organisations can sign up to MakeRoom. By doing so they commit to every individual's right to decent, secure accommodation; they also agree to advocate for an end to homelessness in any communications with their local politicians. Strong public support to MakeRoom will give us the political leadership needed to deliver an end to homelessness by 2010.

As part of the MakeRoom Campaign, a website was unveiled today. www.makeroom.ie offers detailed information on the policy areas that can provide a sustainable solution to homelessness. Visitors to the site are invited to sign a statement of support to the campaign. The MakeRoom 'banner' can be downloaded to personal e-mail and websites of organisations who support the campaign.

The statement of support for the MakeRoom can easily be reproduced and sent as viral mail to friends and colleagues to maximise the sign-up rate to the campaign.

MakeRoom announced today that it will host an election hustings for Party Leaders on homelessness in Dublin in December. "This event will allow the public to assess which politicians and parties have the will to make homelessness part of our history," added Declan Jones.

Today's launch of MakeRoom was addressed by representatives of Focus Ireland, the Simon Communities of Ireland, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and Threshold.

ENDS.

CONTACT: Catherine Heaney @ 01-4885808 or 087-2309835