WATCH – The Simon Community’s Proclamation Video Highlights Our Homelessness Problem

This is powerful. 100 years on after the 1916 Rising, Ireland is not yet a Republic of Equals. Our homelessness crisis is worsening, with thousands of people in temporary accommodation, and many fighting to survive on the streets. This video by the Simon Community is a powerful statement about how Ireland is failing its people who remain sleeping rough, in their cars or in cramped hotel rooms. It features Tommy KD, a musician and actor who has experienced homelessness, passionately reading the Proclamation around many of the main locations of the 1916 Rising a century ago. The words are written on a sleeping bag as a symbol of the hardships out homeless population face. The Simon Community stated: “This weekend’s activities are a time for remembrance and reflection. The Proclamation had ambitions for equality and freedom, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally." "Yet 100 years on we are surrounded by a catastrophic and ever worsening homeless crisis, where 6,000 men, women and children are trapped in emergency accommodation or sleeping rough on our streets, with countless others living in fear of losing their home. " “It must end. Tackling the current homeless and housing crisis has to be a top priority for the next Government. This can only happen through leadership and committed political will and we are asking members of the 32nd Dáil to take urgent action." “We need a comprehensive plan for the private rented sector to ensure greater affordability, stability and security. Critically, local authorities need to get back into the business of building and delivering social housing on the scale required." " There is very little social housing available. Access to affordable housing with support is the most cost-effective and proven solution to addressing the housing and homeless crisis.” Watch the video below: Image and clip via YoutTube/The Simon Community