Housing, homelessness and Covid-19

Five submissions discussed housing and homelessness challenges faced by the Traveller and Roma communities (TVG, Cork; Amnesty; TEJP; Pavee Point; and NTP). Three groups argued that poor housing conditions had exacerbated the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on these communities. Pavee Point similarly wrote: “the rate of testing positive for Covid-19 being significantly higher” among Traveller and Roma “than the national figure”. Many Travellers and Roma live in poor and overcrowded conditions and may not have access to running water. Pavee Point stated that “this is particularly the case for the up to 15% of Travellers who are homeless”, with many “doubling or tripling up in the yards of extended family members”.

Three of these five submissions (TVG, Cork; TEJP and Pavee Point) suggested there was a failure by local authorities to draw down all funds allocated for Traveller housing, which they argue has

contributed to housing and homelessness problems. TEJP wrote: “In Budget 2020 €14.5 million was allocated to Traveller specific accommodation by the Department of Environment. To date, less than 50% of this has been drawn down, despite proliferating and acute housing need”.