North Cork's bill for emergency accommodation for homeless people rises from €12k to €1.1m

Cork County Council figures reveal the surge in homelessness since 2015, with a number without a home for over two years

Cork Coiunty Council's housing director said part of the problem had been the lack of single-bed units in North Cork but that imminent developments would alleviate the shortage. File picture

The homeless crisis may not be as severe in rural North Cork as in the big cities but nevertheless the cost of providing emergency accommodation in the region has shot up — from €12,297 in 2015 to €1.13m so far this year.

The big increase in the cost associated with housing people in emergency accommodation such as hotels and B&Bs is being put down to more people being homeless for longer periods.