NWCI joins Raise the Roof rally
Published: Thursday, October 18, 2018
Homelessness and the lack of affordable, adequate housing has become one of the biggest equality challenges in Ireland today. NWCI joined the National Homeless and Housing Coalition, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions at the Raise the Roof rally on 3rd October. As the Dail was debating an oppostion motion on tackling the housing crisis, thousands of people and representatives from civil society organisations and trade unions came together to demand urgent action from the Government on this issue.
Speaking at the rally, Orla O'Connor, Director of NWCI said
“This crisis is a women’s issue, it’s having a particularly devastating impact on lone-parent families, the majority of whom are led by women. The women and children are forced out of the private rental market and into precarious living situations that have a detrimental impact on their health and lives.”
“Urgent action is required and NWCI is calling on Government to change its policy and focus on increasing social housing stock and ensure security for those in in the private rented sector. It is vital that the feminisation of homelessness is addressed through dedicated research and data. We urge Government to provide resources to gender proof all homeless and social housing strategies and budgets. This is why NWCI is joining the Raise the Roof rally today in what we hope will be a resounding call for immediate action on this critical women’s issue.”