Rally to protest against housing crisis in Cork city

A protest will be making its way through Cork city today to highlight the lack of action in solving the housing crisis.

It comes after Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy survived a motion of no confidence on Tuesday night by a margin of 56-53.

Speaking this morning ahead of the protest, Keely Jones who is currently homeless said: “I’m marching for my children and all the hidden homeless. I’m marching to give us a voice. We refuse to be the hidden homeless any longer. My children are being denied an education and a home through no fault of their own. We are all one pay cheque away from homelessness, it’s time for change. Please come out and support us and let’s show this Government that we won’t be swept under the carpet anymore. Homeless lives matter. My children, your children, they are our future. Let’s make it the best one possible.”

The march will take place on Thursday 5 December at 12pm from Daunt Square in Cork city.

The Right2Housing group who is organising the protest felt the need to take definitive action on the issue of the housing crisis and homelessness. Other speakers at the event will include Stephaine Macke from Connolly Youth Movemen.

Meanwhile, Cork Simon, has said that October saw another record high number of adults in emergency accommodation.

From 21-27 October, there was a record high 447 adults in emergency accommodation in Cork – up three per cent from September and 28 per cent in 12 months.

A Cork Simon spokesman told the newspaper: “There is a real need for a clear Government commitment, backed up by action, that the upwards trend in homelessness will not continue in 2020. As we face into Christmas, we must not allow ourselves to become immune to the continuing worsening of the housing and homelessness crisis. We need to remember that this homelessness and housing crisis is not a normal situation and should not be seen as acceptable on any level.”