The Irish Housing Network (IHN) held a large Christmas party for some of the over 3,100 homeless children in Ireland this Sunday, according to the Irish Examiner. The IHN was impressed by the turnout of volunteers ready to spread Christmas cheer.
However, during the party, many of the children and their parents expressed the kids' worries that Santa won't be able to find them.
"A lot of the kids are wondering how Santa will find them on Christmas Eve and others are asking how can he come down the chimney if there isn’t one in their hub," Freda Hughes from the IHN told the Irish Examiner.
The parents also said they'd have to forgo Christmas dinner, as emergency accommodation units do not include kitchens.
The IHN hoped to raise awareness through their take-over of Apollo House last Christmas with two other groups, but they fear that the housing crisis has only deepened since the occupation.
"While we have seen some move on to tenancies in the capital, in the absence of social and affordable housing or an accessible private rental sector, the majority have nowhere to go," Niamh Randall, a spokesperson for homeless charity the Simon Communities, said.
Earlier today, we reported on the fact that the Simon Communities saw a 33 percent rise in the number of people using its services this last year, including a 49 percent increase in the number of homeless children.
She believes that the public support is there, but that the Government must step up and address the fact that there are numerous vacant homes around the country.
"The huge public concern about these issues is clear to us every day in our work in the Simon Communities; the support we receive is humbling. People want action," Niamh noted.
There are almost 190,000 empty houses in Ireland, she revealed, which is more than enough to shelter the people currently living in emergency accommodation.
"Almost 11 percent of total housing stock is vacant in Ireland, almost twice the level expected in a functioning housing market," Niamh stated, "The potential to deliver much-needed housing supply quickly is significant."
Thankfully, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy confirmed yesterday that this Christmas there will be over 200 additional permanent emergency beds, along with the provision of medical support and other services.
We hope that Santa makes his way to these children this year and that people continue to help those who find themselves homeless.
