THE SIMON COMMUNITY has taken a novel approach to the way that it has launched its pre-budget submission.
It is hoped that by enlisting the services of weatherman Martin King, greater attention will be drawn to housing crisis around Ireland.
In the video King details information the demand the charity currently has on its services.
Speaking about the housing crisis, Niamh Randall, the national spokesperson for the Simon Communities said, “People who are homeless are being failed time and time again by the State.
It is unacceptable to expect people in emergency shelters or sleeping rough now to wait two years to have a place to call home.
In a new campaign the group has urged individuals to send letters to Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Joan Burton to encourage them to provide shorter-term solutions to the homeless crisis.
The charity has outlined four fronts on which it feels that action can be taken on, pointing to homeless prevention and early intervention; rapid rehousing using a housing first approach; access to affordable housing; and adequate support for people once in housing.
Onc specific item that the Simon Community is seeking movement on is rent supplement, which has stayed at the same level since June 2013. The group is calling for it to be increased in Budget 2016, as well as the introduction of rent certainty.
Across Ireland there are 3,285 adults in emergency accommodation across the country, with that figure including 657 families and 1,383 children.
The Simon Communities across Ireland currently deliver services to more than 6,000 individuals and families.
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