Louth families with children sleeping in cars due to lack of emergency accommodation

Sinn Féin Councillor Joanna Byrne has told Louth County Council they “need to get real about the need to increase capacity for homelessness.”

Cllr Byrne, who has been a consistent advocate on the issue of homelessness, outlined two cases she was dealing with where the people concerned, including a child, had no option but to sleep in their cars because no emergency accommodation or B&B beds were available.

“I have one case of a single man forced to sleep in his car while the other case I have is a family including a 9-year old child with additional needs. The latter has been sleeping in their car for over two weeks now,” says the Sinn Féin councillor. “Both of these cases are engaging with the Homeless Team but there are no emergency beds, B&B beds or Family hub places available at this moment in time anywhere in the County. To leave a child sleeping in a car for over two weeks is an absolute indictment on this Council”.

She agrees there has been a more successful ‘hands-on’ approach from the homeless officers in the Council over the past two years and that is to be commended.

But she says we should be realistic about the need to increase capacity and it is critical it is extended as a matter of urgency.

“If it means going cap in hand to the Department of Housing or re-allocating funds internally then that’s what we must do,” she added,

Ger Murphy, Director of Services for Housing told Cllr Byrne he was aware of the case with the child sleeping in the car and whilst there were circumstances out of the Council’s control that led to this particular situation arising he assured Cllr Byrne that his team were working to find an urgent resolution to this case.

Also acknowledging that there is a growing number of cases presenting on a monthly basis, mostly families losing tenancies and the constraints on the private rental market, the Director committed to reviewing the matter but aired caution that increased capacity will bring a further increase in presentations.

The Director also outlined how Louth's homeless section is the regional lead for Louth, Cavan and Monaghan and they are continuously seeking emergency accommodation for the entire area.

Councillor Byrne requested that this be kept under review for discussion again next month and if there is no improvement in the situation she will be urging the Council to open critical talks with the Housing Minister on the matter.