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	Homelessness campaigner Father Peter McVerry has said that most of the emergency accommodation currently available is an insult to homeless people.</p>
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	Speaking on RT&Eacute;&rsquo;s Morning Ireland, Fr McVerry said that many of the facilities were frightening and intimidating places.</p>
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	He said that people take drugs at some of the hostels, making them totally unsuitable for people who are drug free.</p>
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	He said: &quot;For many homeless people they find it safer living on the street. They are not being threatened, they are not being offered drugs, they are not being induced to take drugs.</p>
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	&quot;You have to sleep with your runners on your feet otherwise they&#39;ll be gone in the morning.</p>
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	&quot;One of the biggest complaints I get from homeless people in those emergency hostels is that they woke up in the morning, the people they are sharing the room with are gone, so is their mobile phone, so is their good clothes and anything else of value they may have.&quot;</p>
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	Fr McVerry said he believed it was a matter for local authorities and required a reorganisation of services. He said no drug-free hostels were currently available.</p>
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	He said there needs to be the will to look at the quality of accommodation available and the needs of homeless people.</p>
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	The campaigner said the worst thing is that if such accommodation is refused, then the Department of Social Welfare will not pay welfare payments.</p>
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	Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly has said he disagrees with Fr McVerry&#39;s assessment of the Government&#39;s response to the homelessness crisis, but said he does not want to get into a &#39;tit-for-tat&#39; argument on the matter.</p>
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	He said all resources needed are available for local authorities to deal with the crisis.</p>
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	Mr Kelly said there were over 120 alcohol-free and drug-free beds, so it was not true to say there were drugs available at every unit.</p>
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	He said it would be unrealistic to think there would not be problems in homeless units as people there lead very complex lives.</p>
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	Mr Kelly said there was no issue in relation to budget and that the units that were being provided were quality units.</p>
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	<a href="http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0904/725591-homelessness/">http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0904/725591-homelessness/</a></p>
