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Take action on homelessness
Learn about homelessness and what you can do to help make a difference.
A homeless person is someone who has nowhere to live or who lives in a hostel, institution or night shelter because they do not have a permanent home.
Different types of homelessness include visible homelessness (on the streets, sleeping rough or in shelters) or hidden homelessness (temporary and insecure, low quality or overcrowded housing with relatives or friends, bed and breakfasts and squatting).
In March 2002, there were 5,581 homeless people in Ireland. Most of these were in Dublin. 1,405 children are currently homeless with their parents. The majority of homeless families are lone parent families. Men stay homeless longer than women do.
A lot of things can lead to somebody becoming and staying homeless, such as:
- Ill-health – mental/physical
- Poor quality and unstable jobs
- The high cost of buying/renting a home
- Poor community support services
- Poor education
- Abuse – physical/mental/sexual
- Drugs and alcohol misuse
A report conducted in Cork found that:
- 40% of people who live in hostels had a serious psychiatric illness (including depression).
- 42% had problems of alcohol dependency.
- Homeless people have a tendency to have dental problems, with many lacking the money to get treatment for fillings, gum disease and extractions.
Vicious circle?
Being homeless can lead to poor health due to a lack of food, shelter and company. People who are homeless experience much poorer health and die much younger than the general population. Homeless people find it hard to get a job or training as they lack a permanent address. They may need work and money to secure a permanent address, but without a permanent address they cannot become employed. They face discrimination for being homeless. They can afford little if any healthcare. This becomes a vicious circle.
People who are homeless are a vulnerable population with a high risk of disease and of early death. Being homeless is very stressful and unhealthy and can cause extreme mental and physical ill health.
Take action on homelessness:
- Find out more about the issue at www.focusireland.ie and www.dubsimon.ie.
- Encourage your local youth club to organise regular raffles to raise funds for the local homeless shelter or homeless charities such as Focus Ireland or the Simon Community.
- Encourage large supermarkets in your area to donate any unsold food to the homeless shelter, by setting up a petition.
Lobby politicians to help the homeless agencies to:
- Provide housing, shelter and food for people who are homeless.
- Provide information for homeless people on the best places to seek help.
- Give them the resources and power to make personal changes to their life situation.
- Try to integrate homeless people back into society in environments that they will feel comfortable in.
Information on what to do if you are considering leaving home.
Information from The Public Health Alliance for the island of Ireland. See www.phaii.org for more information and to find out how you can get involved. Download the ‘Health in Ireland – an unequal state’ youth document.
