Amnesty International say record homeless figures are 'a stain on Ireland’s reputation'

Human rights organisation Amnesty International Ireland have identified 'significant failings' in Ireland's addressing of the housing crisis and homelessless, according to a report.

Amnesty's 'State of the World’s Human Rights' report released today, in which an assessment of human rights in 155 countries was delivered by the organisation.

Ireland’s housing crisis highlighted in the report, with the ongoing accommodation shortage and record homeless figures being deemed 'a stain on Ireland’s reputation'.

According to figures released yesterday by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the number of homeless people in Ireland has increased to a new high yet again in March, rising by 1,878 people in just the past 12 months. The total number of those in Ireland seeking emergency accommodation is now 13,866.

Stephen Bowen, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland said, “It is appalling that today over 4,000 children are living in emergency homeless accommodation while tens of thousands of young people will never be able to afford a home of their own.

"This is due to failure after failure by government after government to afford the people of Ireland adequate housing rights protections. Housing has been treated as a private investment opportunity, not as a social good and a human right that everyone has a right to enjoy.

“Promises were made by this government to call a referendum on housing, and a review of housing policy by the government-commissioned Housing Commission has, so far, failed to be published. The government need to take bolder and more decisive steps to solve the housing crisis and, to start, fulfil their commitment to a referendum. We clearly need a constitutional right to housing to redirect government policy.”