Emergency shelters record 10% rise in homelessness

The number of homeless people living in emergency accommodation across Ireland has risen by almost 10% since November.

Figure compiled by housing authorities for the Department of the Environment show 2,980 homeless adults were housed in emergency accommodation in January — up 260 in the space of two months.

In addition to the adults, 865 children were also registered as staying in hostels, B&Bs, and hotels — a fall of 22 since November’s figures.