Homeless figures up by more than 20%

HoMeLessness figures have reached a record high with 12,411 people accessing emergency accommodation last month.

The figures, released by the Department of Housing, is a 1.4% increase on the previous month during which the eviction ban was lifted.

The figures show that Dublin has the highest number of people registered as homeless at 9,160, including 2,802 children.

and nationally there are 3,699 children living in B&Bs, hotels, and temporary accommodation.

The figures don’t include asylum seekers, refugees, women in refuge centres and the so-called hidden homeless.

Minister for Housing

Darragh o’Brien said he was disappointed by the increase in homelessness this month, but “unfortunately not surprised”.

“We are increasing supply [of housing] across the country, that is having an impact. We’re exiting more people into permanent homes,” he said.

Mr o’Brien said the increase is “significantly less” than has been seen in recent months, and while that is to be welcomed “that is no consolation for those who find themselves in emergency accommodation”. in a statement, Peter McVerry Trust Ceo Francis Doherty said, to turn the corner, a close look is required at the type of social housing that is being delivered.

Mr o’Brien acknowledged that some people entering emergency accommodation are coming from the private rental sector but said the decision to end the moratorium on evictions was “a difficult one but absolutely the correct one”.

“[our] concern is that while housing output grows, the type of homes being delivered doesn’t adequately reflect the needs of people impacted by homelessness or even the main need of people on the wider social housing waiting lists,” he said.

“almost 50% of the people in homelessness last month needed a one bed home, no other house type comes anywhere near that figure.

“This week if you looked at the total number of onebedroom homes to buy on the market on daft.ie or myhome. ie of any type or price there are just around 600 nationally.”