Focus Ireland founder Sr Stanislaus Kennedy said yesterday that Government failure to tackle the need for social housing was forcing thousands of families to live in sub-standard private rented accommodation.
She was speaking at the launch of the housing charity's annual report which recorded a drop in the number of people sleeping rough and a reduction in families presenting as homeless.
Sr Stanislaus said that while substantial progress had been made in addressing homelessness, tens of thousands of people on housing waiting lists represented a "hidden homeless" who could not afford to buy a home.
She said more than €300 million was being spent on the rent supplement for people in private rented accommodation, which was not a sustainable way of dealing with housing shortages.
Up to a third of such properties that were inspected by local authority were found to be sub-standard, she added. "The Government has abandoned its historic policy of providing social housing for people who cannot afford to buy their own home.
"These are Dublin's invisible homeless. They may not be roofless and we may not see them sleeping on the street or find them in hostels, but they are homeless nonetheless because they most certainly lack the basic components that constitute a home."
Progress in tackling homelessness at street level, especially among young people, means Focus Ireland will cease providing full day services for under 18s at a drop-in centre in the inner city.
The number of rough sleepers aged between 18 and 25 has also reduced significantly. The charity believes there are now some 100 young people sleeping on the streets regularly.
It has also closed a family programme, which offered parents a place to go during the day where they could avail of support, after recording a significant drop in families experiencing homelessness.
Chief executive of Focus Ireland Declan Jones acknowledged the progress, but said such strides could only be maintained by focusing more on prevention and the provision of long-term accommodation. People were still becoming homeless, especially single people, for long periods.
