Will you MakeRoom?

March 23, 2011

MakeRoom highlights Human Rights Concerns in Ireland - Joint NGO Report to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Ireland still fails to deliver on its human rights obligations, in particular in relation to the Right to Housing and the Right to Health. The origins for these violations lie in the significant lack of protection for and promotion of social and economic rights in Ireland.

This is the result of a recent report submitted by MakeRoom and four other Irish NGOs to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the occasion of Ireland's examination under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR was established by the Human Rights Council of the UN in June 2007 and is a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. Ireland is one of the last countries to be examined. The review will take place in October 2011 and will be based on three different reports, including a stakeholder report compiling submissions from NGOs and national human rights institutions.

The NGO report to which MakeRoom contributed sets out the main issues in both health and housing as highlighted by the persons most affected by these rights violations, including people experiencing homelessness, and recommends specific targeted actions to the Irish government. In addition to MakeRoom, the other contributing organisations include Age Action Ireland, Disability Federation Ireland, Mental Health Reform and the Women's Human Rights Alliance.

See full version of the report

February 23, 2011

Election 2011: Homelessness remains on the Agenda of most major Political Parties

MakeRoom welcomes the commitment from most major political parties in Ireland to keep homelessness on the political agenda. With the exception of Fianna Fail, all major parties refer to some of MakeRoom's key recommendations. While only the Green Party commits to the full implementation of the current Homelessness Strategy "The Way Home", Fine Gael commits to ending long-term homelessness and the need to sleep rough and Sinn Fein commits to ending long-term homelessness within two years of taking office and the provision of social housing for the accommodation of people experiencing homelessness. The Labour Party only commits to alleviating homelessness but highlights that it will do so following a "housing first" approach.
For a detailed analysis of the different party manifestos regarding homelessness, visit also Focus Ireland's website.

January 05, 2011

Ending Homelessness is still a realistic goal in Ireland - MakeRoom contribution to party manifestos

MakeRoom urges all political parties to commit in their political manifestos for the upcoming election to the implementation of the National Homeless Strategy and its six stragic goals, including preventing homelessness, eliminating the need to sleep rough, meeting long term housing need, ensuring effective services for people who are homeless and better coordinated funded arrangements.

One of the biggest barriers for implementing the strategy has been the lack of move on options, with the appropriate support, for people who are homeless. Many people are forced to stay in emergency homeless accommodation for longer than necessary which is expensive for the state and is unsuitable for meeting people's needs.

Read full version of MakeRoom's contribution

December 17, 2010

MakeRoom welcomes support from all Irish MEPs for Written Declaration on homelessness

MakeRoom welcomes the fact that all Irish MEPs have signed the European Parliament Written Declaration on an EU homelessness strategy which was adopted by the European Parliament on the 16th December 2010. Ireland is the first country with a 100 % support rate for this important cross-party initiative.

The adoption of the Written Declaration is very timely and coincides with the closing of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The European Parliament, as the only directly elected body of the European Union, sends out a strong political message that homelessness is an urgent issue affecting a growing share of individuals and families across Europe and an unacceptable violation of fundamental human rights. It calls upon the European Union and Member States to make concrete progress in the fight against homelessness and supports specific priorities for action.

See Written Declaration 61/2010 on an EU homelessness strategy

December 15, 2010

MakeRoom urges MEPs to sign Written Declaration on an EU Homelessness Strategy

MakeRoom has written to Irish MEPs urging them to support the European Parliament Written Declaration on an EU Homelessness Strategy. While Ireland already has a comprehensive and ambitious National Homelessness Strategies, MakeRoom believes that the Written Declaration would support effective complementary action from the European level and promote good practice exchanges between Ireland and other EU countries. The current Written Declaration builds on the previous WD on ending street homelessness 2008 that was signed by all Irish MEPs at the time.

See Written Declaration 0061/2010

October 04, 2010

Keeping the Homeless Strategy on Track will provide Value for Money – MakeRoom issues Pre-budget Submission 2011

Cutting services and supports to the most vulnerable in society, such as people experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness, will not resolve Ireland's fiscal crisis or secure value for money in public expenditure, MakeRoom highlighted in its Pre-budget submission 2011.
In particular in the areas of housing provision, homeless services and prevention, any funding cuts would be absolutely detrimental to the aim of ending homelessness in Ireland.
Read full version of MakeRoom's Pre-budget Submission 2011

August 12, 2010

Join MakeRoom on Facebook

Become a fan of our newly created Facebook page and join the debates on ending homeless in Ireland! You will be able to stay informed about latest MakeRoom activities, share links and events and engage in discussions on all issues related to ending homelessness in Ireland.

June 30, 2010

MakeRoom Responds to Housing Needs Assessment Consultation

MakeRoom submitted proposals for the review of the Housing Needs Assessment today. In our response to a consultation document circulated by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, we highlight the need for a simple and transparent process that is accessible to all, including the most vulnerable people. We also suggest the introduction of "Crisis" as an eligibility criterion for housing need, which should include issues such as risk of homelessness, domestic violence, relationship breakdown, health/mental health issues or departure from state care.
Full version of the MakeRoom response