Criminalisation of homelessness in Ireland, Pro bono report

According to the 2011 Human Development Index Ranking, compiled by the United Nations Development Program, human development (i.e. the standard of living and/or quality of life) in Ireland is one of the highest in the world. In the fields of overall health, education and living standards, Ireland is ranked 7th worldwide and 3rd in Europe. There is, however a section of the Irish population that does not enjoy such high living standards, namely the homeless community, which includes some of the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. 

Official figures gathered by local housing authorities found that of 98,318 households in need of social housing support, 2348 applicants were homeless in 2011. When compared with figures for 2005 (2399) and 2002 (2468/3773) the number of homeless have decreased somewhat, but homelessness nevertheless remains a serious issue in Ireland.

Homelessness is a complex phenomenon which creates various social, economic and legal issues. As regards the legal issues in particular, there is throughout Europe a growing legislative trend towards the criminalisation of homelessness, e.g. by imposing penalties on certain types of behaviour most likely to be engaged in by homeless people by virtue of their circumstances. Aside from the direct criminalisation of homelessness itself, discrimination against homeless people is also imposed indirectly, e.g. by banning activities such as sitting or sleeping in public spaces.

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English
Author: 
Latham & Watkins
Year of publication: 
2 012
Publisher: 
Housing Rights Watch
Organisation: 
FEANTSA
Subject: 
Homelessness
Criminalización
Country: 

Funders

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