'The answer is simply more housing': Limerick charity holds annual sleepout to raise awareness of homeless crisis

A LIMERICK homelessness charity has received a boost on the eve of Christmas, with thousands of euro raised at its flagship fundraiser.

Around 30 people braved sub-zero temperatures last night in aid of Novas, which runs support centres for homeless people across the region.

Those taking part slept outside Brown Thomas in O'Connell Street.

It's the fifth time the sleep-out has taken place, and is designed to raise awareness around the issue of people sleeping rough.

Novas head of policy Dr Una Burns said the freezing temperatures this week has refocused the minds in terms of supporting people without a home.

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"The weather this week has highlighted to us how unsafe people who are homeless are. We are choosing to be here. We can go home whenever we want. Whenever we feel cold or unsafe we can pack up and go to our warm houses. It's completely different to people who have no choice and people who might be sleeping on their own and feeling cold obviously and unsafe," she said.

Out with @novasireland for their annual collection. If you’re around Limerick, please give generously, all the money collected goes into local homeless services such as the street outreach pic.twitter.com/QvNTGF1uaG

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"The answer simply is more housing. We need more housing, we need to use all our buildings along here which are vacant, particularly the tops of shops. People need homes, they don't need shelters, they don't need sleeping bags, they need to have somewhere secure to live," she said.

During the sleep-out, there was musical entertainment with a number of companies, including the title sponsor Masterchefs Hospitality dropping off food.

All the money raised from the event will go to supporting Novas’s frontline services in Limerick.

Based in O’Connell Street, Novas works with single adults, families and children who are disadvantaged and socially excluded; primarily those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

It’s also an approved housing body which provides social housing for low-income families and single adults in local communities.

It works with some of society’s most marginalised individuals, with its mantra being they believe everyone is entitled to a home.