Record 15,580 people homeless in Ireland at end of April, new figures show

This exceeds the 15,418 people recorded in emergency accommodation at the end of March.

There was a record 15,580 people recorded as homeless at the end of April, new figures show.

Data from the Department of Housing showed there were 10,805 adults recorded accessing emergency accommodation in the last week of April.

Additionally, 4,775 children were in emergency accommodation during the same period.

This exceeds the 15,418 people recorded in emergency accommodation at the end of March.

Speaking earlier on Friday, ahead of the figures being published, housing minister James Browne said the continued increase was “quite upsetting”.

“For myself, it’s quite upsetting, but not half as upsetting for those people who need that accommodation,” Mr Browne said.

“It’s about delivering supply, it’s the only way we’re going to address homelessness.

“If you look at homelessness in cities right around the world, even really progressive cities that have high homelessness, it’s because they have high rents. Why do they have high rents? Because of a lack of supply.”

However, there has been criticism levelled at the Government for rising homelessness, with the Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne accusing the coalition of making the situation worse.

“Failing to take an interventionist approach in coordinating a national emergency response to homelessness across all local authorities, destroying the Tenant in Situ Scheme, and threatening to end rent caps have collectively pushed more and more people into homelessness,” Mr Hearne said.

Mr Hearne also highlighted that figures published by the Department of Housing do not reflect all aspects of homelessness, just people who are in emergency accommodation.

This includes people sleeping rough, who are staying in domestic violence refuge centres, or asylum seekers stuck in Direct Provision centres despite having leave to remain.

It also includes those in hidden homelessness, like people couch surfing or who are sleeping in their cars.

Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, called for a reversal in cuts to the tenant in situ scheme while describing the increase as “shocking but not surprising”.

“Homelessness is not an accident. It is a direct result of the decisions Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Ministers make in cabinet. They are responsible and, without emergency action, things will get worse,” Mr Ó Broin said.

Meanwhile, the Simon Communities of Ireland have urged Government leaders to act decisively to cut the number of people experiencing homelessness.

Ber Grogan, the executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said there is a need for “real investment” in homelessness prevention.

“On top of the rising numbers, we’re now facing unacceptable constraints on our ability to respond,” Ms Grogan said, highlighting funding restraints for the tenant in situ scheme.

“We are deeply concerned that these decisions will result in reduced supply and increased vulnerability for those already most at risk,” Ms Grogan said.

“Homelessness should never be normalised. The continued rise in numbers reflects a failure in leadership. Our leaders can, and must, show they care, through decisive action. They can, and must, do better.” Focus Ireland’s director of advocacy, Mike Allen, said the rising figures prove the Government’s current approach to homelessness is failing.

Mr Allen said that Mr Browne has an opportunity to “reset the policy” through a new housing plan.