HOUSING authorities must do more to address the difficulties faced by the Travelling community, Sinn Féin Councillor Colly Kelly has said.
He was commenting after a new report by the Human Rights Commission found that a lack of adequate facilities and housing for the Traveller community amounts to an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude.
Clr Colly Kelly said: “In all, 13 systematic concerns around Traveller accommodation were found by the Human Rights Commission and 45 recommendations were made for change.
“I welcome the fact that the Commission have carried out this work as it again highlights the need for action to be taken because the tragedy is that this report could have could have been written 20 years ago and the issues would have been the same.
“Therefore, I understand the frustration that is felt very acutely by the Traveller community that not enough is being done to address discrimination and inequality they experience.
“More needs to be done for Traveller families, who often find themselves in the private rented sector, usually in homes that are in real need to repair and that settled families have left because of poor conditions
“Reports from the Equality Commission and the Human Rights Commission have continued to shine a light on the inequalities faced by families from the Travelling Community as well as Catholic Families and the housing authorities need to take this evidence on board.”
