Number of people in emergency accommodation reaches new record at 14,486
By Cate McCurry and Cillian Sherlock, PA
The number of people in emergency homeless accommodation has reached a new record high of 14,486 in Ireland, according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing.
Data released on Friday afternoon shows that 10,067 adults and 4,419 children were accessing emergency accommodation during the last week of August.
The latest figures also reveal that there were a total of 2,099 families accessing such services – the highest ever figures for adults, children and families.
Focus Ireland has called for urgent government action on social housing allocation for the most vulnerable as the number of people who are homeless has increased to a record figure of 14,486 for August 2024. This is an increase in 57 individuals homeless on the previous month. pic.twitter.com/IaeGGVQvwO
— Focus Ireland (@FocusIreland) September 27, 2024
The figures do not include people sleeping rough, those that may be couch surfing or homeless in hospitals or prisons, those in a shelter for asylum seekers or domestic violence centres.
The figures show that in the 12 months since August 2023, there was an increase of 1,795 people in emergency accommodation.
There were 2,099 families in emergency accommodation, marking an 11% increase; 4,419 were children, showing a 14% rise since 2023; 1,740 people were aged between 18 to 24, marking a 14% increase over the year.
Focus Ireland called for “urgent Government action on social housing”.
Focus Ireland chief executive Pat Dennigan said: “We know that housing and homelessness are key concerns for Irish voters, and all political parties must put forward ambitious yet realistic proposals to meet the significant challenges ahead.
“We urge both Government and opposition parties to focus on solutions, rather than casting blame on vulnerable groups.”
Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said the numbers represent a “very, very slight increase” in people in emergency accommodation.
“That is still no consolation, indeed, to anyone who is in emergency accommodation,” he added.
“I’m always acutely conscious that while we talk about numbers, behind those numbers are families and individuals and kids.
“My biggest challenge is to exit more people out of emergency accommodation that are entering into it.”
He added: “If we can continue the upward production of homes and the trajectory that we are on to deliver more social homes again this year, I think that will really help us in levelling off the numbers of people in emergency accommodation, then start to decrease.”
Asked when the public will start to see a drop in the number of people in emergency accommodation, the minister said he could not give a date or month.
“What we have seen in the last couple of months is quite a significant reduction in new entries,” he added.
“I am pleased to see too… that those in emergency accommodation are spending less time in it and are exiting it quicker than we have done before.
“That’s why it is so important we have the solutions for it, the housing stock, to assist people in exiting out.”
Wayne Stanley, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: “Throughout Simon Week (this week), we have been travelling the country discussing the solutions to homelessness.
“What stands out from those discussions is that we need to put a clear focus on outcomes.
“The solutions are there but what we are missing is the investment in those solutions and the supply of homes that are required. In that context, the figures released today are an outrage and should be viewed in those terms.
“The foundations for both of these elements must be set out in next week’s budget and must form a central plank of any new programme for Government.
“A ‘giveaway’ or ‘election’ budget that does not have the investment to turn the corner on homelessness would be a shameful abdication of duty by government.”
