Number of homeless people goes above 13,000 for first time

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

The number of homeless people in the Republic has gone above 13,000 for the first time, including 3,991 children.

New figures released by the Department of Housing show an increase in those in emergency accommodation to 13,179, with 86 more children homeless compared to the previous month.

Focus Ireland director of advocacy Mike Allen said it “really is a disgrace that 4,000 children will be homeless in Ireland this Christmas”.

“It is heartbreaking to know that some of these children are only babies and will be spending their first ever Christmas homeless.

“Ireland is not a poor country; this should not be happening, and we must always remember that homelessness is not inevitable and can be prevented by the right policies.”

The Simon Communities of Ireland expressed “deep concern” that high levels of homelessness could continue into 2024.

Its analysis shows that there has been an increase of 1,782 people in emergency accommodation, or 16 per cent, in the 12 months since October last year.

Wayne Stanley, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, called for further action.

“These are usually the final monthly figures to be published in the year, so now is an opportunity to reflect not only on how extraordinary this level of homelessness is, but also on how we got here.

“Based on the figures published today, almost 4,000 children will spend Christmas in homeless emergency accommodation.

“When family homelessness was declared a crisis in 2014, it was fewer than 1,000 children.”

He added: “If the trauma of homelessness inflicted on children is not enough to ensure action to address the crisis, what will be the catalyst for change?

“The Simon Communities of Ireland has been calling for a referendum to enshrine a right to a home in the Irish Constitution. We have to ask, if that was in place, would we have such alarming levels of homelessness today?”