Human Rights and Equality Commission challenges normalisation of family homelessness

The Commission recommendations to Government, published today, come within the context of the current review of the “Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan.”

The Commission is particularly critical of the wide discretion provided to local authorities within the current system of emergency accommodation, which it states does not adequately protect the right to housing for families experiencing homelessness.

In light of this, the Commission recommends legislative reforms to the Housing Act to limit the time that a family may spend in emergency accommodation to three months, and calls on the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to regulate for emergency accommodation to include provision for family access to cooking facilities and utensils, a play area, a family room, and that a family’s right to autonomy and privacy should be respected.

The Commission recommends specific changes to the Housing Act 1998:

Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (pictured) said: “Having met with families affected, heard their experiences of homelessness, and visited one of the family hub sites, it is important that we do not normalise family homelessness in Ireland.

“The primary policy response must be to ensure that every family has access to suitable permanent accommodation.”

The provision of emergency accommodation to families experiencing homelessness