Merchants Quay recorded a 55% surge in 'new homeless' last year due to rising rents and evictions

Merchants Quay Ireland CEO Paula Byrne said that in 2021, the number of newly homeless people rose by 29%. File picture: Julien Behal  

The number of newly homeless people seeking help from Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) jumped by 55% in the final three months of 2021 — attributed to the lifting of eviction bans, rising rents, and Covid-related job losses.

MQI dealt with more than 11,600 people during 2021 through its homeless and drug services — up 18% on the previous year. In its annual review for 2021, Merchants Quay Ireland chief executive Paula Byrne said 4,095 of its clients registered as homeless.