Rise in homeless numbers in temporary accommodation

The number of homeless people living in emergency accommodation in the Cork/Kerry region has increased by almost 7% since the start of the summer.

New figures show that 216 adults were living in various types of emergency accommodation including hostels, shelters, B&Bs, and hotels in the counties in November — a rise of 14 since June. In addition, 19 children were recorded as living with one of their parents in emergency accommodation in the South-West last month.

However, the latest figures also show the number of adults in emergency accommodation in Cork and Kerry has fallen from a high level of 225 recorded in April. Of the total, 192 are staying in temporary accommodation in Cork City and another 24 in Co Kerry. There is no record of any homeless adults staying in emergency accommodation in the area controlled by Cork County Council.

A breakdown of figures collated by the Department of the Environment from data collected by housing authorities shows the numbers in Cork have grown steadily since the summer with more than 20 more adults requiring emergency accommodation last month compared to June.

In contrast, the numbers in Kerry have fallen from a peak of 37 in July to 24 in November. Almost three-quarters of homeless adults in the region are male. More than half are in the 25 to 44 years age group, while 35 are aged 18 to 24 years and six are pensioners. No breakdown is available of the age of the children living in emergency accommodation.

The vast majority of adults classified as homeless are staying in temporary accommodation which has support from homeless charities like Simon and Focus Ireland.

About 24 adults, including 11 with children, are residing in private emergency accommodation including hotels, B&Bs and rooms rented directly from landlords.

Nationally, the number of homeless adults has risen by 14% since June to 2,720 — a rise of 335. The figures exclude 887 dependent children who also reside in emergency accommodation.

Cork city has the third highest number of homeless living in temporary accommodation after Dublin and Limerick. Kerry was only one of five counties in which a decrease in the number of homeless adults was recorded in the past six months.

Homeless agencies have warned the problem is continuing to worsen, while the Department of the Environment claiming an average of 33 new families are requiring emergency accommodation in Dublin each month.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly has said the Government’s €20m action plan announced following the death of homeless man, Johnny Corrie near Leinster House at the start of December should ensure nobody who wants one should lack a place to sleep each night during the winter.