UN experts raise concern about denial of human rights to Cork homeless

Leilani Farha, UN special rapporteur on adequate housing, and Léo Heller, special rapporteur on the right to water and sanitation, wrote to the Government in September 2015.

They requested a response to their confidential letter within 60 days and eventually received a reply on 6 June 2016.

Ms Farha stressed that all levels of government are under an obligation to provide urgent measures, including financial assistance, to ensure access to affordable housing and essential levels of drinking water and sanitation services.

She said: “The State must take immediate steps to provide these services to homeless people, and at the same time, it must plan and implement a strategy to eliminate homelessness and provide long-term housing solutions.”

Rent allowance allocations available to individuals and families by the city of Cork are reportedly grossly inadequate in relation to the cost of housing in the private market.

Tenants with low or irregular income have no protection from sudden increases in rent, forcing them to either move out or face eviction, often resulting in homelessness.

There have been no free and adequate public installations for water or public toilets in Cork for the last ten years, which Mr Heller called “a denial of access to water and sanitation for the homeless”.

Mr Heller added: “During the day, the only alternative for many homeless people in Cork is to request access to water and sanitation services from private residents or establishments such as bars, restaurants or public institutions.

“This extreme lack of autonomy experienced is a denial of their privacy and dignity, as well as a health concern, as the situation results in access to very low quantities of water and limited access to sanitation facilities.”