10th October 2023
Budget of incrementalism, when strident action on homelessness was needed
The Simon Communities of Ireland have responded to Budget 2024 saying it was a budget of incrementalism, when strident action on homelessness was needed.
Wayne Stanley, Executive Director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, said:
“The homelessness crisis is unlikely to be slowed by this Budget. The depth of the homeless and housing crisis required bold action and there’s not enough of that in this budget.
In the overall assessment, there were some welcome incremental progress. We can point to the 35 million euro in capital funding for housing first. We need to see the detail and how exactly it breaks down but housing first it is a real and effective solution to homelessness and increase resources to enhance it is particularly welcome. The increase in funding for homeless services is needed but also an acknowledgement of the fact that homelessness will increase. Capital expenditure for the provision of homes is welcome and the figures outlined if delivered and allocations properly managed could have an impact.”
Stanley continued:
”So while there are some welcome progress in some areas, a lot of it does not go far enough or fast enough to get ahead of the homelessness crisis. The Vacant housing tax increase is welcome but a dearth of ambition is simply not high enough and there seems to be too many exemptions. While an increase in social welfare rates to €12 is undoubtedly welcomed by those who receive it, the fact remains that over the past two years, their jobseeker payments or pensions have effectively been reduced.
We don’t want to down play the impact of once off cost-of-living measures but these are not making the structural progress on poverty and that will have a knock on impact on the most vulnerable into the future.
Although the tax exemptions for landlords, amounting to €50-€80 per month, serve as a gesture of appreciation for their role, it is improbable that these incentives will sway landlords who have already opted to leave the private rental market to reverse their decision. Consequently, these measures are unlikely to have a significant impact on homelessness.”
ENDS
For further information contact Aileen Gaskin 087 7724 717 /communications@simoncommunity.com
