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.

The charity has taken steps to address the deficit, but with the full impact of the lifting of the eviction ban yet to filter through, Mr Kavanagh said: “The challenges continue. Sadly, my expectation is that things are going to get a little bit worse before they get better.” 

He was speaking ahead of the launch today of Cork Simon’s annual impact report for 2022, which shows:

• 1,370 men and women turned to the charity for help last year — a 33% increase;
• its emergency shelter and nightlight services supported 529 people — an average of 64 people per night compared to 39 per night in 2021;
• the number of people long-term homeless (more than six months) increased by 35% to 50 people;
• the nightly number of people recorded as sleeping rough increased by 50% to an average of nine per night;
• 71 people were supported to move from homelessness to secure, affordable, supported, independent housing — the highest number yet.

Mr Kavanagh said the charity has begun to see more and more homeless people in work, sometimes in full-time jobs, but who cannot find somewhere affordable to live.

“That is quite a change,” he said. "A few years ago, we put a lot of effort into employment, education, and training courses, and that used to be a pathway out of homelessness.

That’s no longer a guarantee. Rents are absolutely shocking. 

"The solution, as ever, has to be more social and affordable housing options for people. We need to scale up delivery — and that can’t happen soon enough.

“We need more housing options, as soon as possible, and supports for those in housing.” 

The proportion of homeless women has also increased — with females now accounting for 35% of all bed nights in Cork Simon's emergency shelter, up from just 10% over a decade ago.

Despite the challenges, Mr Kavanagh said there are positives, with the charity almost doubling the number of Housing First tenancies from 29 to 56 last year, and moving 71 people into supported housing — its highest figure yet.

Among those was Declan Marian, 50, who credits Cork Simon with saving his life.

“They were always there, always encouraging me,” he said. "They’re like an extension of my family now.

“All I need in life is my health and a roof over my head. That’s all I ask for.”