Self-accommodating for homeless families is ‘draconian and inhumane’ says Cllr

THE practice of self-accommodating for homeless families is “draconian and inhumane” according to Sinn Féin Councillor Mark Ward.

Cllr Ward had a motion passed at a special meeting of South Dublin County Council calling for the abolishment of the practice, which puts the onus on homeless families to source their own temporary accommodation.

He said he was aware of seven families who were asked to leave hotel rooms across the county in the lead up to St Patrick’s Day.

“The situation was very apparent during St Patrick’s week with seven families asked to vacate their hotel rooms with their children in tow to make room for the influx of tourists,” he said.

“This pattern was across the city. When speaking with Focus and other agencies, these families were asked to self-accommodate. It is draconian and If we are to be judged on how we treat our most vulnerable I’m afraid that we are failing them miserably.”

On occasion, Cllr Ward says families spend all day in his constituency office making phone calls to hotels.

He continued: “They have all their personal belongings with them. No means of transport and no idea where they will be staying that night.”

“The whole day for this family is spent on the phone ringing hotel after hotel trying to source accommodation. I’ve witnessed the stress that this puts parents under and in turn the trauma the children are going through.”

“Often parents do not have a phone or credit. I’ve allowed parents the use of my phone and seen the desperation increase every time they are told there is no room in the inn.”