Aslan frontman Christy Dignam has admitted he felt demoralised when he was made homeless a few years ago.
The singer said the pandemic has taught us were all a few pay cheques away from being on the street.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror ahead of the Rock Against Homelessness virtual gig, he said: A few years ago, I was couch surfing and homeless for about a year, its not a nice place to be.
Because people view you in a certain way, you start looking down on yourself, being homeless for me had a demoralising effect on my soul.
When you see somebody when youre walking up Grafton Street and theyre lying in a doorway, you make whatever judgments on them.
These are people just like me and you, born into a family who have aspirations, dreams and for whatever reason, those dreams have gone pear shaped and theyve lost their way.
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Its a fecking terrible place to be.
Were not the type of a race who are so dispassionate and step over people on the street like we heard of years ago in New York. But its happening here now.
That was never us, we had soul and sometimes I feel were losing that soul.
Its a shame that these gigs even exist, homelessness shouldnt exist in this country, were one of the richest nations on this Earth.
Its outrageous that people are dying in the street.
Former homeless Dubliner Stephanie Clarke opened up on life dodging needles and drugs whilst going from hostel to hostel.
Stephanie, 25, told the Irish Mirror: I was homeless myself and I was in care and I think there are so many vulnerable people homeless and I think everyone deserves a home.
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I was in care until I was 18 and moved into an Independent Living place and I moved out when I was 19 and moved into private rental accommodation.
The landlord didnt renew the lease, so I became homeless.
I was staying in hostels but sometimes Id be too late and Id have to stay in Merchants Quay. Its just a bit better than the streets, theres about 100 people all on the ground on mats next to each other.
I tried to stay in tourist hostels. I dont do drugs or drink, but I couldnt afford them so I had to go to the other hostels eventually. Heroin needles were hard to avoid.
I was on job seekers, I had to share a room with one or two girls, theyd often be shooting up in front of me, or once I stood on a needle because it was near my bed and another time I got my phone and cash robbed.
Focus Ireland saved me. They put me in touch with a key worker.
After nine months of being homeless, I finally got into a bedsit on South Circular Road.
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It was very cramped but it was much better than a hostel.
And with a determination to do something about the plight of so many, those behind Rock Against Homelesss are bringing a focus where it is needed.
Director David Merriman said he was humbled getting involved and added: Running my production plan past Jim Sheridan was so nerve wrecking, what he doesnt know about film is not worth knowing.
Its a concert film, so everything has been pre-recorded with the artists, from Pillow Queens to Aslan, we have some line-up.
On the homeless crisis, David, 45 said: Of the 8,000 people who are homeless, the vast majority are in temporary accommodation, families, 2,200 children homeless in Dublin, thats a shocking statistic.
We want people to see that nobody chooses to be homeless or wants to be homeless and to try to make people see how important it is for people to support Focus Ireland.
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The statistic is homelessness is up 400% in the last year. Theres a vicious cycle here, there is no social housing, people cant afford accommodation as the rent is too high.
Its a systemic issue and were putting our finger on the damn thing. Nothing is getting better, its only getting worse.
I went out one night into town. I came home and to see my new furniture, I felt vulgar. I needed to remind myself, there are people putting their kids to sleep in B&Bs where there are mice and rats.
Its a shameful situation in a prosperous country like Ireland.
Pillow Queens, Gilbert OSullivan, Aslan, Wyvern Lingo, and Tolü Makay are among the acts who will play a streaming Rock Against Homelessness gig from Dublins Olympia Theatre and Windmill Lane Recording Studios this Sunday.
The show will also feature music sets from London, Belfast, Mexico, and New York, with Panti Bliss as main MC, and TV presenter Laura Whitmore on board to help out.
- Rock Against Homelessness Tickets for the streamed event cost 23 and are available via Ticketmaster.
The concert will be available in its entirety to view for seven days after the event (4pm, 27 June).
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