Homeless young adults: extreme disappointment that cuts not reversed.
Increase in funding for Social Housing, Housing Assistance Payment Scheme, Emergency Accommodation and reduction in rent contribution for jobseekers under 26 welcomed.
Crosscare – which provides Homeless Services, Information and Advocacy services and Youth services that work with over 12,000 young people – has expressed disappointment at the failure of the Government to reverse the cuts to jobseekers allowance for those under 26 years old experiencing homelessness in Budget 2017.
Conor Hickey, Crosscare CEO said: “We welcome the introduction of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, the Housing Action Plan in August and investment in emergency accommodation in the past year, however, the impact of cuts on jobseekers allowance for adults under 26 years old experiencing homelessness has made it significantly difficult for them to achieve a sustainable living.
“Crosscare had proposed the restoration of the full adult rate of €188 for jobseekers under 26 years old who are experiencing homelessness or have recently exited homelessness and living independently with no social supports. This would support young adults to move out of homelessness and sustain a living independently.” said Mr Hickey.
“We welcome the announcement that there will be an increase in funding for Social Housing of €1.2bn, an additional €105m to the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme and €28m increase in allocation for emergency accommodation in Budget 2017. This will provide additional support to many of the families and individuals we work with,” continued Mr Hickey.
“Homeless service providers continue to stretch their resources to support those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Investment in these services is vital to support this provision which has a positive social impact for the people we serve and promotes economic value.
“We welcome measures such as the investment in housing and homelessness and the reduction in rent contribution for jobseekers under 26 however, it is extremely disappointing that there has been no real reverse of cuts for homeless adults under 26 years old.”
Crosscare said that the housing market in Dublin particularly is having a devastating effect on all households experiencing homelessness having called for rent certainty and housing provision as immediate prevention responses to the homeless crisis and it hopes the investments announced today are implemented with immediate effect.
ENDS
CONTACT:Fiona Barry, Senior Manager, 086 8565078