Gardaí shut down the street in front of government buildings to block #RaiseTheRoof demonstrators today, as a motion calling for rent regulation, investment in public housing and a referendum on the right to a home was debated. Thousands packed the streets nearby instead. 
Thousands turn out for the #RaiseTheRoof rally, from Dublin's Lord Mayor to people in Direct Provision, demanding solutions to Ireland's housing crisis. Many spoke of facing homelessness themselves, or said they were there because they knew a family affected. #HousingCrisis
Maya (22) came from Galway for #RaiseTheRoof with a family friend, who took her in after being told her baby would be put in care if she couldn't get housing. Maya said she is homeless nearly 2 years now and had to quit college, living in hostels or on couches with her daughter.
"They're setting the young ones up for failure," the woman who took them in said. "She's a really good mum." Maya lost her rental accommodation when the landlord decided to sell. Now rents were higher and landlords refused to accept housing assistance, she said. #RaiseTheRoof
Countless properties remain vacant, yet Dublin City Council considered putting homeless people on a docked cruise ship. People are crying out for sustainable solutions to the crisis. #raisetheroof rte.ie/news/dublin/20…
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