March homeless figures are a shocking indictment of Government record

March homeless figures are a shocking indictment of Government record

• Ideology hindering progress, not economy.

Labour Leader and Housing Spokesperson Ivana Bacik TD today urged the Government to address the alarming milestone in homelessness figures for March, which revealed a staggering 13,866 individuals, including devastatingly 4,147 children, now experiencing homelessness. This is a moment of crisis that demands immediate and decisive action from the State.

Deputy Bacik said,

"The devastating consequences of the housing crisis cannot be overstated. Families are living with the constant stress of eviction, young adults trapped in their adolescent bedrooms, and childhoods spent in emergency accommodation. This is a daily reality for too many people, and it demands urgent attention.

"It is clear that ideology, not the economy, is to blame for the lack of progress on housing. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have consistently favoured leaving the housing crisis in the hands of the private sector, a failed approach that continues to exacerbate the situation.

"The new Taoiseach's rhetoric on housing is meaningless without a fundamental shift in approach. We witnessed this week the government's penchant for spin over substance with the Housing For All progress report, which lacked any tangible evidence of delivery.

"Labour has put forward concrete proposals to address the housing crisis. Our Renters' Rights Bill could be passed and Government could adopt our plans to supply 100,000 homes annually by significantly increasing building efforts and expediting the retrofitting of homes. These are viable options that the Government could implement.

"Government must turn the tide on this national scandal. They must reduce the State's reliance on the private sector. It's time to prioritise people over profit and take decisive action to tackle the housing crisis head-on."