Over 1,000 families homeless across nation

There are 1,054 families with 2,177 children in homeless accommodation around the country.

New figures from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive reveal that 913 families — 1,218 adults and 1,847 children — are homeless in the capital.

Homeless charity Depaul says action must be taken to stem the flow of families into emergency accommodation and provide move-on options for families experiencing homelessness in Dublin. The number of homeless families in Dublin increased by more than a third (34%) since December, when there were 683 such families, including 939 adults and 1,409 children.

Depaul chief executive Kerry Anthony said the number of homeless families had increased every single month over the last two years.

The number of homeless children in Dublin surpassed the 1,000 mark in May last year and now, over a year later and despite calls to deal with the crisis, 800 more children have no place to call home in the city, she said.

“It is time that we confront this situation as the emergency that it is and put in place immediate and long-term solutions to reverse this damaging trend,” said Ms Anthony.

Recommendations in the recent report from the Oireachtas committee on housing and homelessness must be delivered as a priority, she said.

“It is absolutely critical that we increase the housing stock in Dublin by supplying the recommended 50,000 additional housing units over the next five years.”

Also, families at risk of homelessness due to home repossession or eviction from private rented accommodation must be safeguarded,” said Ms Anthony.

“Depaul believes that every child has a right to a place to call home, and we call for strong and co-ordinated action to secure this right.”

The charity supported more than 4,000 people last year.