letter from Dublin
The housing crisis in the Republic of Ireland is worsening. There are currently 15,378 people (including 4,653 children) living in emergency homeless accommodation, which is the highest number on record. There are also many people unaccounted for in the homeless figures including single men sleeping rough, who are often the last group prioritised for emergency accommodation. Christian charities and food banks are doing phenomenal work across the country, especially in the main cities.
For those in a position to buy a house, the number of homes available for sale is at a record low and the shortage of properties available to buy, and also to rent, means that those who are able to secure a property have high mortgage repayments or are paying large amounts in rent.
To secure available and affordable housing, families often have to move away from the main cities. In the Republic of Ireland though, the majority of evangelical churches are in the main cities. Families who have had to move due to housing are finding themselves a long distance from a Bible-teaching church, and may then have to travel long distances to church, which is particularly difficult with young children, and will naturally impact on their attendance at church events and involvement in the congregation.
