A new record in homelessness has been described as “incomprehensible” and “scandalous” and must be “a wake-up call” for parties negotiating to form a new government, charities at the coalface of the crisis have said.
The call comes as the total homeless population surpassed 15,000 for the first time since the figures began to be compiled more than a decade ago.
Figures published on Friday by the Department of Housing show there are now 15,199 people in emergency accommodation, including 4,658 children in 2,168 families.
This is an increase of more than 230 in a month, and represents a 12.4 per cent increase in a year. This data, counted during the week of November 18th to 24th, 2024, does not include people sleeping rough, couch-surfing, in domestic violence refuges, or unaccommodated asylum seekers.
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In Dublin, where the crisis is most acute, there were 10,925 people, including 3,575 children 1,524 families, in emergency accommodation – a 10 per cent increase on November 2023 when the capital’s homeless population totalled 9,906.
Details of the twice-yearly Dublin rough-sleeper count were also published on Friday, showing a 14 per cent increase in numbers on a year previously. That count, conducted between November 4th and 10th found 134 “unique individuals” sleeping outdoors across the four Dublin local authority areas.
The majority of the people confirmed as rough sleeping were male, Irish and aged between 26-45 years, said Dublin Simon which provides the Dublin rough-sleeper outreach team. Of these 86 per cent were linked with one of the four Dublin local authorities. A total of 43 per cent were using tents.
Also on Friday the Department of Children and Integration, updated figures on homeless international protection applicants, showing there were 3,111 “awaiting offer of accommodation”.
Responding to the figures, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said: “Addressing homelessness is an absolute priority and we are working flat out to meet this challenge. Although we are preventing people entering homelessness and helping people to exit emergency accommodation at higher levels than ever before, we still face the challenge of lowering the overall numbers.”
Describing the latest figures as “another grim record”, Sinn Féin spokesman on housing Eoin Ó Broin said: “Government failure in the delivery of social and affordable housing is causing month on month increases in homelessness. This situation is shocking, unacceptable but entirely predictable.”
Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said Ireland does not lack the resources to deal with this crisis. “A single child becoming homeless is unacceptable during successive years of budget surpluses. However, having thousands of homeless children is incomprehensible and scandalous,” he said.
“There are measures we should be taking to protect people from the trauma of homelessness. A ban on no-fault evictions should be immediately introduced so that individuals and families paying their rent can stay in their homes.”
Mike Allen, director of Focus Ireland said the two parties involved in forming a new government went through the election without making any substantial proposals to tackle homelessness. “Today’s news of a record number of people living though the misery of homelessness is a harsh reminder that that a government sidestepping the issue will not be an option. ”
Catherine Kenny, chief executive of Dublin Simon said the “time for political debate” was over.
“The incoming government must act decisively and urgently to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Words are not enough – now is the time for tangible action.”
“With a new government taking shape, there is an opportunity for bold action. Preventive measures are key to stopping the flow of individuals and families into homelessness, while increasing the stock of social and affordable housing is essential to ensure home ownership is accessible to all, regardless of income. Without urgent, co-ordinated action, this crisis will continue to spiral.”
Ms Kenny said Dublin Simon was “alarmed” by the increase in rough sleeping.
“This is particularly concerning given the extremely cold conditions across the country and the multi-hazard weather event expected over the weekend and into next week,” she said. “Combined with the thousands in emergency accommodation in the capital alone, the growing number of people without a place to call home represents a crisis that is only getting worse. These figures are more than just numbers – they are people forced to endure unimaginable hardship, particularly in the coldest months of the year.’’
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