‘How high can it get before it’s taken seriously?’: Cork homeless numbers soar 

The number of homeless adults in Cork rose by 24% in the past year, the biggest year-on-year increase in the last five years, according to a homelessness charity.

National figures from the Department of Housing show a record 16,353 people, including more than 5,100 children, are now homeless.

Of the 738 adults accessing emergency accommodation between August 25 and August 31 in the South-West, a record 679 were recorded in Cork city and county, and 59 were in Kerry.

This represents a 24% increase on the number of adults accessing emergency accommodation in Cork when compared to August of last year, when the figure stood at 547.

Nationally, the latest data showed there were 2,391 families accessing emergency accommodation during the last week of August, including 5,145 child dependants.

This brings the total number of people, inclusive of both adults and children, accessing emergency accommodation at the end of August across Ireland to 16,353.

Families 

Of the families accessing emergency accommodation, 105 were recorded in the South-West region, with a total of 228 child dependants.

This figure represents a 15% rise in the number of families accessing these supports in the region compared to August 2024, when the figure was 91, with a total of 179 child dependants.

Speaking to The Echo, Sophie Johnston, research and communications co-ordinator at Cork Simon, said the figures show a “really dramatic increase” in the number of people accessing emergency accommodation in Cork.

“In Cork, the numbers have increased by 24% when compared to this time last year,” said Ms Johnston.

“This represents 12 consecutive months of increasing numbers, and is the biggest year-on-year increase in the last five years. Everything is going in the wrong direction — if things don’t change fast, we’ll soon be looking at upwards of 1,000 people in emergency accommodation across Cork and Kerry.

“Once you’re in emergency accommodation, it’s very hard to move on, which is having a significant impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

“Rents increased by almost 12% in the last 12 months, all while supply is falling; and you add to that the mounting cost-of-living pressures; it’s a perfect storm for increasing homelessness.”

“From talking to people in our emergency shelter, there is a sense of despair, there are only so many knocks that people can take — it’s really challenging.”

Not surprising

Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners said that the 24% increase “probably doesn’t reflect the actual amount of people who are homeless across Cork”.

“It’s not surprising,” she said. “We hear about everything right across the board from how people are struggling with rents; struggling with mortgages; and how there’s just not enough accommodation. The rising number of people experiencing homelessness is a profound call to the Government.

“Behind every figure is a person with dreams who deserves dignity and respect.

“As a society, we must come together; the Government must take action, because this is a crisis.

“The alarm bells have been ringing for a long time, and it has now hit an alarming high – how high can it get before it’s taken seriously.

“These are people, they’re not just numbers, statistics or names on a piece of paper, they deserve more.”