According to the Government’s latest homelessness figures, as of the last week of July, there are 663 adults living in emergency accommodation in Cork.

There were 101 families, with 209 children, in emergency accommodation in the South West, made up of Cork and Kerry, in June, latest Government data has shown.

The April figures show that 650 people were in emergency accommodation in Cork, the seventh record high in a row.

Both St Vincent de Paul (SVP) and Cork Simon say people who have never had to avail of their services before are now coming to them for help.

Organisers of the event have said that this year’s donations stand as the most raised in one night in the more than 20-year history of the ball.

Paul Sheehan, the head of campaigns and communications at Cork Simon, told The Echo these latest figures represent “another record monthly high”.

Simon’s March 2025 Locked Out of the Market report found no properties to rent within Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limits in Cork city centre or the suburbs.

Cork Simon says people sleeping on floors in their shelters or in 'any available space where someone can bed down for the night'.

In the South-West, an average of five households per month exited emergency accommodation to a private rented tenancy in the 15 months to June 2024, and 10 households per month were pushed into homelessness following a ‘no fault’ notice of termination.

Addiction and homelessness services worked with the HSE and Mercy Hospital to get the word out to people who use drugs in the city 12 months ago after a spate of overdoses from synthetic opioids. 

Cork Simon Community seeing an increasing number of people who are struggling to make ends meet seeking their help. 

Paul Sheehan, communications manager with Cork Simon, said the budget’s cost-of-living and social welfare measures were welcome but were likely to have little impact for people on the very edge of homelessness.

The organisation highlighted the figures at the launch of Simon Week 2024, where it appealed to the public to engage with candidates in the upcoming election on the issue of homelessness.

Cork Simon chief executive Dermot Kavanagh told The Echo that the past year has been the most challenging the charity has ever experienced.

The popular weekly event supports Cork’s homeless population through donations made at these weekly classes, all of which go to Cork Simon.

The annual fundraiser, which has raised more than €400,000 for the charity since its inception, will take place on May 23.

'If relationship breakdown occurs, alternative housing options are severely limited, leading to a risk of homelessness', says author of Cork Simon report

Mr McGrath praised the work of Cork Simon, who he said are doing “remarkable work in very, very challenging circumstances”.

A report, published by Cork Simon, showed that 17,055 vacant properties were recorded in Cork on Census Night 2022, with almost 5,000 homes described as long-term vacant.

Latest figures show that 201 dependents in Cork and Kerry accessed emergency accomodation last month. 

Declan, a former rough sleeper, is now living in one of Cork Simon Community’s high-support houses, and he says that the lack of security and safety on the streets meant he could never sleep soundly.

The charity was left with a deficit of more than €750,000.

With figures showing that four new people sleeping rough on the streets of Cork every single week, Donal O’Keeffe took an early morning walk around the city centre to see for himself the shocking reality of homelessness in our city in the 21st century

Cork Simon campaigns and communications manager Paul Sheehan said that rent coupled with high living costs have locked many people out of society

LAST week was a memorable occasion for all West Ham fans as they reached their first European final in 47 years.

On one of the coldest days of winter, Donal O’Keeffe spends a morning with Cork Simon’s outreach team and hears the cost of living is adding to the country’s homelessness crisis.

By supporting this year's Women’s Little Christmas lunch in aid of Cork Simon, you can make a real difference for those in need

“It’s putting huge pressure on right across the system but everyone is rising to the challenge,” he said.

Communications Manager Paul Sheehan said that the emergency shelter was already packed before the cold weather kicked in and has in this past week seen 80 people staying each night.

Judge Olann Kelleher said the assault on the lady working in Simon by Calum Murphy was unforgivable and he sentenced him to five months in prison at Cork District Court.

The cold snap was set in motion by an Arctic airmass sweeping over Ireland which has resulted in snow, ice, sleet and hail across the country.

Cork Simon’s Paul Sheehan said the Department’s figures reflect the demand for emergency beds at the Community’s emergency accommodation on Anderson’s Quay.

For as little as €5, you can help spread the festive cheer to Cork's most vulnerable this Christmas

Offering whatever you can — including small gifts in your Will — can help those at risk of homelessness as the cost of living crisis rages on

Recent homeless figures revealed that 400 people in Cork were accessing emergency accommodation. In a three day series, MATTHEW MOYNIHAN talks to those at the cold front in supporting people, like Cork Simon

Cork Simon has warned we are heading for another winter of increased homelessness, following the release of the August Emergency Accommodation figures.

Yoga in the Park will return to Cork this summer in both Fitzgerald's Park and the Regional Park Ballincollig.