Will Budget 2015 help put an end to homelessness?

It's somewhat timely that October 10 happens to be World Homelessness Day, less than a week before the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, gets to his feet in the Dáil to unveil Budget 2015.

While we have been cautioned against having unrealistic expectations, all the indications are that there will be some respite for hard-pressed middle income earners. But despite all the positive signs that the economy is finally starting to lift, with less unemployment and rising house prices, a walk through the city on a weekend night tells a different story.

•An all-too-familiar sight on our streets. STOCK PHOTO

A colleague of mine was almost reduced to tears during a recent night out on the town. She was shocked, not only by the numbers of people sleeping rough or begging in the vicinity of Grafton Street, but by the age profile of Ireland's 21st century homeless community. She recalled a time when a homeless person generally fitted the stereotype of down and out wino. Now they look like any of us. They are young, middle-aged or getting on in years. They are a mix of Irish and non-nationals, united by poverty and social deprivation.

No person should have to sleep on the streets, in a hostel or in a car in modern-day Ireland. It's a sad fact that a large proportion of homeless people have drug dependency or other addiction issues. Others may be escaping from a difficult family situation or traumatic event in their lives. Some are homeless through losing their job or business. The rise in rents in the capital has exacerbated the  problem. Rent supplements - if they're even accepted - simply aren't high enough to meet the extortionate rates sought by private landlords. They either need to rise to reflect market values or we need new rent control measures introduced.

If you've a few moments to spare, you should go online and read the Simon Community's 'Stand & Deliver' letter (www.simonstandanddeliver.ie). This is addressed to Government ministers, urging them to fulfil their promise to end long-term homelessness and rough sleeping by 2016. It warns that Ireland is in the middle of "a catastrophic" housing and homelessness crisis.

"If you don't move quickly and wisely - rather than being solved - long-term homelessness will become an epidemic," a section of the letter reads. "This will mean more people facing a brutal winter on our streets. More families sleeping in their cars. Serious illness, depression and death. It will mean more 'working' homeless. More pressure on overrun shelters. More people on the housing lists."

The Simon Community says the Government's emerging ideas on solving the crisis are welcome - but are far too limited, short-sighted and moving far too slowly.

"This is devastating for vulnerable families and is also economically foolish," the letter continues. "Ireland can't afford the overwhelming costs of increased homelessness and lack of housing."

The charity has presented politicians with three 'common sense' solutions:
•Increase housing - and the right kinds of housing;
•Provide adequate support services;
•Prevent homelessness before it happens.

Simon are well on their way to achieving their target of 10,000 signatures in time for World Homelessness Day next week. It's an initiative most worthy of our support. Let's just hope our elected representatives are listening.