Sir, - In addition to comments made by Alice Leahy, director of TRUST (August 22nd) regarding the article "Long day's journey into homeless night" (The Irish Times, August 13th), I would like to make two points.
First, homelessness is not just a problem for cities; it is prevalent in every urban settlement down to the smallest rural village. Second, the problem has increased dramatically in recent times.
The serious problems facing us at present need to be addressed immediately or consequences for the future are dire. For example, we in this hostel have doubled our accommodation, but we still have no hope of accommodating the ever-increasing numbers, the broadening age profile, and the individual problems of those affected.
There is an urgent need for State and voluntary agencies to provide resources to tackle individual problems at the very early stages when community welfare officers, psychiatric institutions, probation officers, etc. are able to identify particular individuals at risk. - Yours, etc.,
Chairman, Men's Hostel, Lady Lane, Waterford.