Homeless cry out for help as threat-to-life cold snap continues

David Raleigh

Homeless support services put out an SOS call to any people sleeping rough in sub-zero temperatures as a number of people were found sleeping out in the freezing conditions.

Homeless charity, Novas, said it secured accommodation overnight for a man sleeping rough in Limerick city centre where temperatures plummeted to -7 degrees.

A tent and blankets used by a woman by a wall situated off Island Road, Limerick, was another grim reminder of the homeless crisis. Another tent was being used by a male in the Corbally area.

Another woman desperately seeking accommodation sat out on a thin piece of cardboard along Limerick’s main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, on Wednesday as temperatures hit below zero.

The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “It’s very very cold today, the forecast is for minus ten and it’s not good for anyone’s health to sit on the street, it can cause hypothermia, you could die and it’s not how anyone should be living.

“Yes, that’s a possibility that I might have to stay out tonight and that I might have no where to go,” she said.

“I’ve been on the street since New Year’s Eve, and as a vulnerable person I find the homeless (hostels) intimidating, they don't (provide) for vulnerable people who can’t go and share accommodation with people involved in substance abuse and violence problems, I cannot go in the hostels so really there is no help for me.

“Everyone is needing help but there isn’t enough help, it’s a terrible situation that vulnerable people can be left on the streets literally to die.

“I’m looking after myself, I’m clean and I’m doing my best for myself, but the help isn't there.”

The woman said she tries to gather enough money everyday to sleep in Bed & Breakfast accommodation as she is too scared to stay in emergency hostel accommodation.

Shivering with the cold, she said: “The ground is cold, I should be wearing thermal leggings and the cold in the ground is getting to me now.

“All the services are swamped, there is not enough help, especially not the help that a vulnerable person needs.

“A lot of the serves are geared up for people with addiction problems, but there isn't really a service for a vulnerable homeless person.”

The lady said she wanted to say “thanks” to people who stop and talk to her and help her. Her message to the government is to build more homes fast.

“The same government has been elected again and it is hard to see that there is going to be change. The government need to consider that we, the homeless, are not just a drain on resources; the government are creating a potential economic catastrophe by not providing housing, and things are only going to get worse unless they find practical solutions.”

Head of advocacy and communications at homeless charity Novas, Una Burns, said no person should be left out on the streets and that anyone who presents to homeless services will be accommodated, particularly during freezing temperatures.

“There is additional capacity across the city for people seeking emergency homeless accommodation, for the duration of the cold spell. If people require accommodation they should ring 1800 606060and they will be supported to access accommodation,” she said.

“Every night, people are accommodated on roll-out beds and couches in communal areas, in response to the protracted weather event.”