Homelessness figure rises again as more than 17,500 people in emergency accommodation

The figures, released on Friday, show 5,659 children were homeless during the month. They also include 11,868 adults. 

The number of people living in emergency accommodation in Ireland increased again in July, reaching 17,527, according to new figures from the Department of Housing.

The figures, released on Friday, show that 5,659 children were homeless during the month, along with 11,868 adults.

The total is up slightly from 17,482 in June, which was itself a small increase on May's figure.

The figures show that 9,968 households are in emergency accommodation and that 10,283 people are members of families experiencing homelessness.

Simon Communities calls for greater urgency

Simon Communities of Ireland executive director Ber Grogan criticised the lack of political urgency to solve the homelessness crisis.

"While we welcome action to support households facing rising fuel costs, we need to see that same sense of urgency when it comes to homelessness," he said.

"Ireland’s homelessness crisis has deepened over the last decade, and there’s still no sense of urgency from Government. We need political leadership that matches the scale of the crisis. The Government must act now to prevent people from losing their homes, increase the supply of affordable and social housing, and ensure there are clear pathways out of emergency accommodation.

"It is increasingly frustrating that homelessness does not appear to be seen as a crisis by our elected representatives. Behind every one of these figures is a person, a family, a child or an older person who does not have a place to call home," Mr Grogan added.