Authorities struggling with homeless crisis

More than 170 homeless families are living in hotels across the capital as authorities struggle to cope with an unprecedented surge in demand for emergency support. Charities say the rising cost of rent, combined with caps on rent support and a shortage of affordable accommodation, mean low-income families are being priced out of the private rented market. Many have never experienced homelessness before.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive confirmed that local authorities were using hotels to avert the prospect of families sleeping rough. “This is absolutely not a sustainable solution, but an emergency response needs to be provided to people who are in this difficult situation,” it said.

Overall, the number of homeless people in emergency shelters or temporary beds on a nightly basis has climbed to in excess of 1,600 in the capital, while numbers sleeping rough have increased by 50 per cent since April last year, latest figures show.

Families have emerged as a new and significant group at risk of homelessness as rent levels continue to increase. Service providers such as Dublin Simon and Focus Ireland say the rising rents, along with an acute shortage of social housing or emergency supports, is resulting in a housing crisis.

Families
Latest figures show rents in Dublin increased 8 per cent last year, while the average cost of renting an apartment in the capital is now about €1,070 a month.

Many families contacting homeless services were renting in the private sector and availing of the rent supplement scheme, which subsidises the cost of rent. However, many ended up seeking help after landlords increased their rent above rent supplement limits, which are capped by the Department of Social Protection at different levels across the State.

Latest figures from the Dublin homeless executive show 174 families are now forced to live in hotel rooms in Dublin as a measure of last resort.

The numbers have grown sharply over the past year or so. At the end of 2012, for instance, 26 homeless individuals were placed in hotel accommodation.

This rose to just over 120 towards the end of last year.

More funding
At an Oireachtas committee which discussed housing shortages yesterday, there was widespread support among charities and voluntary housing groups for rent control, an increase in the level of rent supplement and more funding for social housing.

Mike Allen of Focus Ireland said a review of rent supplement levels is not due to take place until the autumn.

However, he called on the Department of Social Protection to undertake an immediate review given that many vulnerable tenants either cannot afford their rent or are forced to pay illegal “top up” payments.

He said an overwhelming number of families without affordable accommodation have never experienced homelessness before.

Niamh Randall of the Simon Communities of Ireland said her organisation had seen an increase of almost 25 per cent in the number of people turning to them for help.