Over 300 home renters avail of Cork Simon's charity soup-run

Over 300 people living in private rented accommodation availed of a charity’s soup-run in Cork last year.

Many claimed, after paying their rent, they had no money for food.

The disclosure came as Cork Simon Community yesterday launched its 2014 annual report.

The charity reported a 63% hike in the number of people sleeping rough in the city last year. It reported 284 people slept rough in Cork for at least one night in 2014, up 63% the previous year.

A total of 54, almost 20%, were aged between 18 and 26, up by 23% on 2013 figures.

A further 14%, a total of 41, were women — up 40% from 2013.

Over 13,00 people were supported by the Cork Simon services in 2014, 11% more than the previous year.

There were 4,083 instances of rough sleeping recorded, more than double the double in 2013.

Overall, 947 people used the Cork Simon Soup Run, a 24% increase. There was a 16% (121) increase in the number of women using the service.

Some 36% of all those using the Soup Run were in private rented housing, indicating they were on the edge of homelessness. In other words, after paying their rent, they had nothing left for food.

Some 11,289 hot meals were served in 2014 — the highest number in over five years.

A total of 389 people stayed in Cork Simon’s Emergency Shelter, with the occupancy rate at 107%. Just over a fifth (21%) of those were women, a jump of 17% on 2013. The number of young women (18-26 years) increased by 23%.

The annual report noted people had no choice but to stay for longer periods, with the average stay per person standing at 44 days, up 11% compared to 2013.

A total of 170 people (44%) were still in emergency accommodation, sleeping rough, staying with friends, in hospital or in prison at the end of 2014, reported to be 29% more than the year previous.

Cork Simon’s director Dermot Kavanagh said the organisation’s services were coming under increasing strain due to the sheer numbers needing help.

“We’ve used all of our resources to respond, but it isn’t enough. More people are sleeping rough, more people depending on our Soup Run to make ends meet, more people staying every night at our Emergency Shelter — and stuck there for far too long because they have no other option. People deserve better,” he said.

Mr Kavanagh welcomed the increases in funding for homeless services announced in the recent budget, and a winter initiative aimed at making sure there’s a bed for everyone that needs one, but said more needed to be done.

“Increasing the number of emergency beds is a welcome approach right now —they’re desperately needed, but it’s not the solution.

“People need permanent homes that are safe, secure and where they can get all the supports they need if they are to leave homelessness behind them for good.”