Mounting concern in Cork over homelessness with shelters 'packed to the rafters'

With emergency accommodation “packed to the rafters” and winter around the corner, there is mounting concern in Cork over increasing homelessness figures.

Nationally, figures have reached record levels — with Cork Simon saying that it are seeing a significant increase in the number of people seeking their help who are struggling to make ends meet.

The head of campaigns and communications at Cork Simon Community, Paul Sheehan, said the uptick is concerning, particularly ahead of the winter period.

Facing into winter

“We’re facing into winter now, we’re not really seeing any significant budge in the figures — they’re pretty much stable — and, as we know, emergency accommodation is packed to the rafters, so there is no additional room,” said Mr Sheehan.

According to the Department of Housing’s Monthly Homelessness Report for September 2024, some 14,760 individuals were accessing emergency accommodation — an increase of 274 (1.9%) on August 2024.

In Cork, the number of homeless adults increased slightly from the August report — up from 547 to 549.

Meanwhile, the number of families accessing emergency accommodation also increased in the South-West region — up from 179 to 183.

“We’re already a month into storm season,” said Mr Sheehan, “so we’d be very concerned about that.”

“Our traditional group of people who we support have very complex needs.

“They’re disadvantaged from a young age, they’ve most likely experienced childhood trauma, alcohol, drug use, probably left the education system early.

“But over the last number of years, we have seen a significant increase in people turning to us for help who just can’t afford to put a roof over their head.”

Asked how people could best assist the charity, Mr Sheehan said that any donation, big or small, “is very welcome and makes a huge difference”.

Scandal

Meanwhile, commenting after the latest homelessness report, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould described the rising figures as a “scandal”.

“Talking to people coming into my clinic last week, people who are becoming homeless are even finding it harder to get emergency accommodation because the homeless crisis is so severe."

“Housing and the homelessness crises should be like what we did with covid — it should be a national emergency to solve this.”

Social Democrats councillor for the city’s South Central ward, Pádraig Rice, said that behind the “grim stats” are “lives that have been devastated”, adding that an increased delivery of social and affordable homes and measures — such as an end to no-fault evictions — are needed to prevent homelessness.

Message is clear

Labour councillor John Maher said: “Labour canvassers have been inundated with concerns about housing”.

“The message is clear: People need affordable housing now,” he said, adding that he believes the Government’s Housing for All plan has “failed”.

Commenting following the publication of the report and the Homeless Quarterly Progress Report for Q3 2024, also published yesterday, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said that during Q3 this year, 699 households exited emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created and almost 980 households were prevented from entering emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created for them — which, he said, marked “significant” increases.

“Nevertheless, the fact that the overall numbers have risen underlines the pressures that remain. Ultimately, increased housing supply will be the solution to this challenge. The housing pipeline is incredibly strong.

“Over 37,600 homes commenced in the first eight months of 2024 — a 76% increase on the same period last year … additionally, the latest Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report shows that more than 27,000 social homes are currently on-site or at design and tender stage,” he said.