Resources are urgently required in order to address this crisis. Evidence to date suggests that homelessness remains linked to the problem of domestic violence perpetuated against women which increases the need to ensure that funding cuts to refuge provision or other support services are halted immediately in order to avoid a “trickle down” effect into housing. In this regard, the PLC notes that over 12,500 people – 9,448 women and 3,068 children – received support and/or accommodation from a domestic violence service in 2015.
According to the Sonas Domestic Violence Charity, domestic violence played a role in as many as 25% of homeless cases in 2016. Furthermore, the link between domestic violence and homelessness makes it notably difficult to arrive at a true figure for homelessness as SAFE Ireland pointed out in 2016 that some 4000 women and children recorded by them as staying in emergency accommodation as a result of domestic violence were not being counted as homeless.
The PLC urges the Government to establish a dedicated inter-departmental unit for Budget 2018. It should prioritise the care of homeless pregnant women and their families as well as the reversal of capital funding cuts to existing refuge providers.