Fifteen face spending Christmas on streets

Date Published: 15-Dec-2011

By Declan Tierney

As Christmas approaches, there will be little by way of festive cheer for at least 15 people who will be sleeping rough on the streets of Galway every night.

While a number of charitable organisations will be endeavouring to provide food and shelter for these men, who range in ages from their early 20s to pensioners, the stark reality is that they will have to endure the harsh winter elements over the Christmas season.

Homelessness still remains a major problem in Galway city and a number of those who have been forced onto the streets have been evicted from their homes because they are unable to pay rents or mortgages.

The Galway Simon Community, who provide 16,000 bed nights and 30,000 meals to homeless people, say that they are approached by new faces on a regular basis who find themselves without anywhere to live.

Kerry Mossop, Fundraising and Development Manager with Galway Simon, told the Galway City Tribune that contributing factors to homelessness included drug and drink addiction, relationship break-ups, unemployment and poverty.

But, in recent years, people who find that they are not in a financial position to pay their rents or meet their mortgage repayments are turning to Galway Simon for help.

The organisation is facing the prospect of a fifth annual cut in their funding from the State in 2012 and are finding it increasingly difficult to deliver services.

Galway Simon Community provide services to 118 homeless people in Galway and 30% of these are women. There are accommodated in 11 houses and more than 20 apartments which Galway Simon manage in the city.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.