‘New homeless’ are among 18,000 referrals in first year of night cafe

The country’s only homeless cafe had 18,375 referrals in its first year of operation and almost 2,000 unique users — many of whom may have otherwise slept rough.

The Merchant’s Quay Night Cafe in Dublin opened on January 21 last year and figures until the end of 2015 show that while almost 90% of users entered homelessness due to substance abuse issues or mental health difficulties, around one in 10 are among the ‘new homeless’, who have been priced out of rental accommodation in the capital.

Brenda Kane, the Merchants Quay Ireland Night Cafe project manager, said some clients are holding down jobs while using the service, which they see as a “stop-gap” until they can secure a rental property.