Activists in Waterford have initiated a 24 hour occupation of a vacant building on O'Connell St in the city.
The ‘Take Back The City-Waterford’ group say they are demanding the government and their representatives in the council take action to end the crisis.
The building is the former Presbytery now owned by Waterford City and County Council and follows a summer of occupations in Dublin.
Local People Before Profit Rep, Una Dunphy said, ‘There is now over 10,000 people homeless in Ireland, including 3,800 children. More are in mortgage difficulties and more again are struggling to pay huge rents or living in substandard accommodation.
"The government have ignored calls from every corner of society to declare a national emergency and address the crisis.
"Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy issued targets last year, he said Waterford would build 687 new social houses between now and 2021.
"This is a ridiculously low number, but even so only 11 social houses were built last year. There are over 3,000 on the housing list in Waterford and it's growing with many eviction orders before the courts. There is over 110 people homeless in Waterford at present.’
A public meeting has been organised for next Thursday, the 13th of July at 7pm in the Unite Union Hall, Keyzer St. Speakers on the night are PBP Rep Una Dunphy, Michelle Byrne, USI Vice-President of campaigns and an activist from the Dublin Summerhill Occupation and United Against Racism.
Members of the community are also being asked to join the National Housing and Homeless Coalition’s Demo outside the Dáil on Oct 3rd at 12.30pm.
