Focus Ireland is calling on the Government to take urgent action as it attended the Body and Soul music festival this weekend.
It issued mock eviction notices to campers at the event in its new hashtag #EndYouthHomelessness campaign.
It’s been a fantastic day at @BodyandSoulIrl with the launch of the Focus Ireland campaign to #EndYouthHomelessness. We’ve had great talks, fantastic speakers, and all of you amazing #BodySoul19 people. Change is going to happen, and we’re going to do it. 💛 pic.twitter.com/F6Bqi9xGXZ
— Focus Ireland (@FocusIreland) June 22, 2019
Neil Forsyth, Focus Ireland Services Manager said: “Young adults are the most likely age group of people who are homeless who will bunk-in with friends and extended family to keep a roof over their heads.
“They are part of the hidden homeless which means they are not included in the Government’s official homelessness figures. When this happens they are barely mentioned in Government policy or strategy, and there is no provision for addressing their very particular needs and circumstances.
“Those leaving state care or detention, from migrant or ethnic groups, or who identify as LGBTQ are disproportionately represented in youth homelessness.”
The campaign aims to highlight the growing youth homelessness crisis is at a record number as nearly 900 young people aged 18-24 are now homeless.
Young people are bearing the brunt of the housing and homelessness crisis, and are six times more likely to experience discrimination by private landlords.
Focus Ireland is urging the Government to develop a Youth Homelessness strategy.
Body & Soul Founder, Avril Stanley welcomed the initiative: “Young people in Ireland have proven themselves time and again to be the real change makers in our society.
"When we decided to mobilise our audience behind one of the most challenging issues facing our society today, we looked no further than the issue of homelessness and Focus Ireland as our partner."
The talks took place at the Focus Ireland Home which is a specially designated space for thoughtful reflection and energetic activism located in the Woodlands Area at the festival this weekend.
