New record as number of homeless people in Ireland tops 13,000

The latest figures from the Department of Housing, which show the number of people who accessed emergency accommodation in October, include 9,188 adults and 3,991 children. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Some 13,179 were homeless at the end of last month, hitting a new record level after an increase of 352 from September.

The latest figures from the Department of Housing, which show the number of people who accessed emergency accommodation in October, include ­­­9,188 adults and 3,991 children.

This is the highest number of children in homelessness ever recorded, increasing by 87 from September.

The number of adults in emergency accommodation also increased significantly by 265.

The most recent data shows that there were 1,939 families in emergency accommodation services at the end of last month, an increase of 47.

Some 1,107 (57%) of those were single-parent families.

Single people accounted for 6,000 of those in emergency accommodation up from 5,822 in September.

In July, the overall number of homeless people hit a record level when 12,847 people were recorded using emergency accommodation.

The figures for August showed a reduction of that figure to 12,691, but the reduction was due to an administrative error in the way previous totals had been counted.

Describing the figures as “alarming”, the National One Parent Family Alliance (NOPFA) said no significant steps have been taken by the Government towards addressing the disproportionate number of single-parent families in homelessness.

They said one-parent families, particularly those with lower incomes, face challenges when competing against higher-income households in terms of securing rental properties and social and affordable housing.

One Family CEO and NOPFA chair Karen Kiernan said the disproportionate impact of the housing crisis on lone parents and young children is “shocking and unacceptable”.

“Daily we see and hear from these vulnerable families about their constant struggles in very difficult conditions. It's heartbreaking to know that these individuals are being disregarded by the Government, leaving them to fend for themselves.

“The lack of action from the Government only reinforces the message that they do not matter. Immediate action needs to be taken to address this pressing issue,” she said. 

Focus Ireland said the fact that almost 4,000 children will be homeless this Christmas is “disgraceful”.

“There is much good work being done every day by Focus Ireland, other NGOs, and the State to prevent and end homelessness but we have to say it really is a disgrace that 4,000 children will be homeless in Ireland this Christmas.

“It is heartbreaking to know that some of these children are only babies and will be spending their first ever Christmas homeless,” said Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy, Mike Allen.