Tipperary TD Martin Browne has said that the substantial rise in homelessness figures in Co Tipperary for the month of April confirms that the warnings he gave about the unpreparedness of the government in ending the eviction ban. The Cashel based TD says his expectations of more people presenting to local authorities as homeless has been realised with a reported increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation in the county.
The Department’s homelessness figures for Tipperary in April confirm that homelessness in the county has increased by 14 people or by 35% on the previous month’s figures, rising from 39 in March to 53 in April. The figures were released on Friday and also show a national total of 12,259 people availing of Homelessness supports – the first time the number has been over 12,000. Deputy Browne notes that the figures for emergency accommodation, doesn’t include people sleeping in their cars, or sofa surfing or living in overcrowded conditions. The TD wants the no-fault eviction ban to be reinstated saying “There are far too many people who are facing the prospect of eviction in the knowledge that there is limited choice available to find an alternative home.”
