Berserker wrote: » We could have guessed most of those names. Wonder how many of them are willing to put some actual money towards buying the property and donating it to charity. Bet most, if not all of them, wouldn't be as forthcoming if it came to that.
Wanderer78 wrote: » They are absolutely right, it really is a flick of a pen to get this started, as that's how one of the most critical ingredients of this problem is created, I.e. money
Flimpson wrote: » They said a flick of a pen would solve the issue, not get the solution started. It would do neither - this is a very complex issue and simplifying cheapens it, whatever direction it comes from; whether it's "Shur can't they just go to homeless shelters" or "This is all the government's fault - they could solve it in an instant." These kinds of proclamations are not helpful. The government is giving money to local authorities for housing resources. It's not enjoying people being homeless. But there are people in steady employment being exploited by greed because they simply cannot afford to pay the rent, there are also people whose mental illness, addiction and traumatic experiences have damaged them to the point that they strangely choose to sleep rough (how this is the government's fault is beyond me), there are people who are too afraid to stay in hostels because of intimidating elements, there are people who take the piss themselves too and expect the state to house them - in a hotel until a house or flat is provided. With regard to the needy, help is on offer but some folk are too disenfranchised to take it - it's nobody's fault. I like to think idle buildings will be converted to housing stock - I don't know if this is a panacea but it doesn't make sense for them to be left unused. Everyone has to contribute towards their housing though - nothing is for free. What I do know is: those of us who don't have this worry should thank our lucky stars and give money to/volunteer at Focus Ireland/Simon instead of "Waaaa, it's the government's fault - someone else should do something?!"
Widdershins wrote: » Interesting idea. How will it work out? It remains to be seen.. Do squatters rights still exist and is it still a minimum of 12 years?
hmmm wrote: » The news today is full of people wanting to dip into the working persons pockets. We spend vast sums on the homeless charity industry already, we're spending enough - someone must be making an awful lot of money out of it.
Kh1993 wrote: » They're not staying out on the streets because they want to.
Maybe some groups like AAA or Ogle etc will of course benefit from publicity, but that's a by-product of things like this.
Richard Hillman wrote: » The place will turn into a drugs den when the Slebs get bored and go home, leaving a few fool hardy volunteers. And as a previous poster has said, this has a large scale fire written all over it. The Government are better off doing what they do best, do nothing, but emphasise the fact that the beds are already there.
Oodoov wrote: » Some sickening views on here. Not that it makes a difference but around Xmas as well.
Loveinapril wrote: » As someone who has worked in homeless services for years, I have a huge amount of concern for how this place will be ran. Are there trained qualified people drawing up policies and procedures? Volunteers are fantastic, but only when they are informed and have experience in the field. People need training in addiction, how to manage chaotic behaviour, first aid, health and safety. The list goes on. Are they going to separate people depending on their substance issue or lack thereof. If not, the liklihood of a non addicted person staying in a chaotic place like that is unlikely. They may feel safer on the streets- which is the reason a lot of people sleep rough.
padd b1975 wrote: » Reads like a who's who of insufferable gobsh1tes. They can't even get pisssed while they're there what with Christy Moore and his issues with the old alkeyhol.
Loveinapril wrote: » As someone who has worked in homeless services for years, I have a huge amount of concern for how this place will be ran. Are there trained qualified people drawing up policies and procedures? Volunteers are fantastic, but only when they are informed and have experience in the field. People need training in addiction, mental health, managing chaotic behaviour, de- escalation techniques, first aid, health and safety. The list goes on. Are they going to separate people depending on their substance issue or lack thereof. If not, the liklihood of a non addicted person staying in a chaotic place like that is low. They may feel safer on the streets- which is the reason a lot of people sleep rough.
Loveinapril wrote: » Dean Scurry from Home Sweet Homw says it all started 5 weeks ago after he saw a Facebook video of a homeless man suggesting a NAMA building be used as accommodation.
Gatling wrote: » Now that's interesting
Loveinapril wrote: » The idea comes from a great place. We are all compassionate to the personal stories of homeless people. But I really don't think any of the organisers know what it looks like to have a load of vulnerable/ addicted/ mentally unwell individuals in one place at the one time. In my experience, rough sleepers (the ones earmarked for these beds) tend to be more chaotic due to addiction and or mental health. The people who work with them have to be well trained and qualified (and therefore, well paid- which I don't begrudge at all) to manage the behaviours and environment effectively. I worry that well meaning volunteers will become overwhelmed and drop off one by one until the place becomes a giant squat.
Loveinapril wrote: » I worry that well meaning volunteers will become overwhelmed and drop off one by one until the place becomes a giant squat.
http://bit.ly/1pzSj4o Freetown Christiania is a green and car-free neighbourhood in Copenhagen, best known for its autonomous inhabitants’ different way of life. It was established in 1971 by a group of hippies who occupied some abandoned military barracks on the site and developed their own set of society rules, completely independent of the Danish government. Christiania existed under special conditions for 40 years with constant conflicts and clashes between the local Christianites and the Danish state. After many years of uncertainty about the future of Christiania, an agreement was entered in 2011, which meant that on 1 July 2012, a foundation, the Foundation Freetown Christiania, was founded.
Arcade_Tryer wrote: » Why do you think the charities exist ffs? It's merely covering up the giant cracks in the housing and rental market.
Dublin Simon, the Peter McVerry Trust, Depaul Ireland and Focus Ireland received a total of €33.6 million in grants from State agencies in 2014, but spent €35.8 million on staff costs for on the 875 people they employed in 2014 (the last year for which complete figures are available for all).
trellheim wrote: » As soon as I saw Brendan Ogle "I'm out" ....
Bambi wrote: » Why, were you thinking of getting involved until then? Were you f**k.
Loveinapril wrote: » You do the maths. The staff who are employed are often qualified professionals who worked hard to get paid a decent wage. I work for a charity, it doesn't mean I am going to do it for free- I studied for years to get where I am. I want that to be recognised, even if I am a person in the caring sector. I still have bills to pay. The organisations need accountants to keep track of the finances. They need HR to employ and maintain staffing. They need marketing and fundraising departments to keep the organisations in the news so they can get more money to fund more services. The charities then have to pay to upskill and train their staff. They pay for the upkeep and maintenance of their properties, gas, electricity, IT department, phone lines, etc. The CEOs get loads of money (sometimes too much) because they are qualified and experienced and have worked to get where they are. I don't think that the CEO of a charity should earn less than a CEO of a company just because it is a charity. We all do our jobs to earn a living.
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