New record as number of homeless people in Ireland reaches 14,486

In the 12 months since August 2023, the data shows an increase of 1,795 people or 14% in emergency accommodation.

The number of people living in emergency accommodation reached a record 14,486 in August, according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing. 

Data released on Friday shows that 10,067 adults and 4,419 children were accessing emergency accommodation during the last week of August.

The figure is an increase on July's record of 14,429 people who were in homeless accommodation.

In the 12 months since August 2023, the data shows an increase of 1,795 people or 14% in emergency accommodation.

Of the 10,067 adults, 6,177 were men and 3,890 were women. Some 66% were classified as single adults. 

A total of 2,099 families were found to be accessing emergency accommodation last month. Around 58% of these were single-parent families. 

The figures do not include people sleeping rough, those who may be couch surfing or homeless in hospitals or prisons, or those who are in shelters for asylum seekers or domestic violence centres.

Focus Ireland called for “urgent Government action on social housing”.

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said: “We know that housing and homelessness are key concerns for Irish voters, and all political parties must put forward ambitious yet realistic proposals to meet the significant challenges ahead. We urge both Government and opposition parties to focus on solutions, rather than casting blame on vulnerable groups.”

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said the numbers represent a “very, very slight increase” in people in emergency accommodation.

“That is still no consolation, indeed, to anyone who is in emergency accommodation,” he added.

“I’m always acutely conscious that while we talk about numbers, behind those numbers are families and individuals and kids.

“My biggest challenge is to exit more people out of emergency accommodation that are entering into it.” 

He added: “If we can continue the upward production of homes and the trajectory that we are on to deliver more social homes again this year, I think that will really help us in levelling off the numbers of people in emergency accommodation then start to decrease.” 

Asked when the public will start to see a drop in the number of people in emergency accommodation, the minister said he could not give a date or month.

“What we have seen in the last couple of months is quite a significant reduction in new entries,” he added.

“I am pleased to see too… that those in emergency accommodation are spending less time in it and are exiting it quicker than we have done before.

“That’s why it is so important we have the solutions for it, the housing stock, to assist people in exiting out.” 

Cate McCurry and Cillian Sherlock

Wayne Stanley, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: “Throughout Simon Week (this week), we have been travelling the country discussing the solutions to homelessness.

“What stands out from those discussions is that we need to put a clear focus on outcomes.

“The solutions are there but what we are missing is the investment in those solutions and the supply of homes that are required. In that context, the figures released today are an outrage and should be viewed in those terms.

“The foundations for both of these elements must be set out in next week’s budget and must form a central plank of any new programme for Government.

“A ‘giveaway’ or ‘election’ budget that does not have the investment to turn the corner on homelessness would be a shameful abdication of duty by Government.”