Cork homeless charity reports 33% rise in number of people asking for help

Cork Simon chief executive Dermot Kavanagh said he has begun to see more and more homeless people in work, sometimes in full-time jobs.

Cork Simon chief executive Dermot Kavanagh and service user Declan outside one of Cork Simon’s high support houses, marking the publication of the charity’s Annual Impact eReport for 2022. Picture: Colm Lougheed

Homeless charity Cork Simon has recorded an “unprecedented” €750,000 deficit following a surge in demand for its services, with increases in rough sleeping and long-term homelessness.

The charity’s chief executive, Dermot Kavanagh, said the chronic lack of housing, soaring rents, and the cost-of-living crisis all combined to force almost 1,400 people — a third more than the previous year — to turn to it for help.