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S. E. A. Statements

Homeless being cast aside for property development---McCann

Wednesday 14th February 2007

Stop these closures and put all the facts before the people of Derry!"

That's the call from election candidate Eamonn McCann to the housing organisation First Housing.

"Employees and clients of First Housing were suspicions about the announcement a fortnight ago of the closure of the John Street hostel. Now, workers are even more suspicious about the proposed closure of the 12-bed 'dry-out' unit at Damien House in Foyle Street ," said Mr. McCann.

"The Damien House announcement came out of the blue on Monday, when workers were called in and told the news, claimed Mr.McCann, who is standing for the Socialist Envoronmental Alliance in Foyle.

"First Housing said that the 36-bed facility at John Street no longer met the needs of local homeless. Yet, in the same week, Derry community workers declared that the housing situation in the city was worse than for years. Something didn't add up.

"And nothing adds up about the threatened closure of Damien House. It's sadly true that the problems of alcoholoism and other drug problems, closely associated with homelessness, are all too evident in our city.

"We need full transparency on this. Who is making these decisions? What alternative facilities have been made available for those who depend on Damien House? What agencies have been involved in discussions? Why were the views of the staff, who know the realities better than anyone, not sought in advance and taken into account?

"I repeat the question I raised about the John Street hostel last month---are there plans, have discussions taken place, about converting these buildings into apartments for sale or rent on the private market? Are the most vulnerable being cast aside to make way for propertry development?

"There should be no closures until these questions have been debated in public and satisfactory answers given."





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