Cork City isn't a 'no go' area for me, but the numbers of homeless shock me

Cork feels safe to walk, with no so-called 'no-go' zones — but its worsening homelessness crisis demands urgent action

Tents in Marina Park: 'Ireland ranks among the top five EU countries for homelessness.' Pictures: Larry Cummins

It was one of Cork’s rainy winter nights. I passed a group of homeless people in the city centre, where the cold, dampness, and pouring rain seemed to have no effect on them. They were fully engaged in conversation, occasionally interrupted by the sound of clinking bottles.

It was late and dark, and I felt a bit anxious walking by them. At the same time, I wondered about the circumstances that had led them to find solace in puddles and alcohol. 

To my surprise, I realised one half of the group spoke English, while the other half spoke Ukrainian. They gave the impression that, despite speaking different languages, they didn’t notice any barriers, as they were united by the shared goal of getting through the cold night in good spirits.

Cork is a unique city, but one thing stands out to me: the city’s outskirts and suburbs often seem more welcoming than the city centre itself. There are abandoned properties occupied only by doves and crows. 

It’s hard not to notice the grand French-style windows on St Patrick’s Street, now covered with plywood. Old buildings look at passersby with hollow, lifeless eyes.

It feels even more surreal when you see homeless people trying to survive another cold night under these dark, patched-up windows.

I come from Kyiv, where the city centre used to be polished and sparkling, but the outskirts never quite matched up. I noticed a similar pattern while living in the US. American cities can be full of contrasts —some areas are so rough you’d be strongly advised not to even drive through them, simply because it could be dangerous.

I also spent a lot of time in Brussels and Strasbourg while working as a journalist. These cities are filled with people from all over the world, yet I rarely encountered intolerance or unpleasantness. The locals seem to understand that international institutions and organisations bring jobs and boost the local economy in many ways.

While Cork City Council debates a plan to 'take back the city centre', the facts remain clear: more people are homeless every year, and efforts to address the problem are not enough.

Still, homelessness is a global issue. Even in the heart of the EU, people live on the streets. It never stops being a topic of conversation. People want to feel safe — they express their concerns regularly — but at the same time, many seem to accept it as an inevitable part of life in a big city.

One thing is certain: no one wants to see people freezing outside in the cold. Most people do care, and many are willing to help — if there's a real solution to support those in need.

Cork is a city of many faces, and it changes depending on location and time of day. On a sunny Saturday morning, if you walk along the Marina Promenade, you’ll see people enjoying the upgraded infrastructure. I even once there bumped into a man who, I’m convinced, was Taoiseach Micheál Martin. It’s hard to turn off your journalistic radar — even when the Taoiseach is trying to blend into the crowd in a sports cap.

However, Cork’s city centre at night feels completely different. You won’t see Micheál Martin strolling down St  Patrick’s Street in trainers. Instead, you’ll likely see homeless people pulling out their sleeping bags —sometimes right in front of shop windows displaying three-figure price tags.

Across Europe, nearly one million people sleep on the streets each night. The true number could be even higher. Ireland ranks among the top five EU countries for homelessness. According to the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless, "Ireland has experienced a drastic increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation over the last 10 years".

In March 2025, the number of homeless people in Ireland reached a record high of 15,378, placing the country just behind France, Czechia, and Germany in terms of homelessness rates in the EU. 

In Cork City, the crisis is worsening. According to Cork Simon, nearly 900 people were depending on emergency accommodation in March this year — up to a 25% increase in just 12 months. This figure includes 204 children.

With the generous sunshine this year, I almost forgot about the small camp I passed in the Lee Fields just a few months ago. Homeless people had set up tents by the riverside, right next to a plush hotel. Wearing headphones, like many others out for a walk, I would pass by them, fast, but still glancing over out of the corner of my eye.

I used to work in the city centre, and over time, I stopped being surprised by the items I would see in the office carpark each morning — ranging from drug paraphernalia to the aftermath of alcohol-fuelled parties

I used to work in the city centre, and over time, I stopped being surprised by the items I would see in the office carpark each morning — ranging from drug paraphernalia to the aftermath of alcohol-fuelled parties.

I felt both scared and guilty: scared to see people living in tents, but guilty because I knew I’d be sleeping in a warm bed that night, while they would be shivering in the cold. I once saw someone bringing blankets to the camp, but I never found out how many of its residents managed the winter. The camp is gone now, and I hope its inhabitants found shelter.

Recently, city councillors have clashed over Cork’s image. “We have to be careful that we don’t create the impression that ours is an unsafe city,” said Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle. Cork’s image matters, but the growing homelessness problem cannot be ignored.

The insufficient supply of social and affordable housing is one of the primary drivers. Housing costs in Ireland are more than double the EU average, with rent prices rising by 98% since 2010. Demand consistently outpaces supply, and Ireland has some of the fastest-growing rental prices in Europe.

"Working homeless" is a new term in Ireland. Even people with jobs often don’t earn enough to afford housing. Social welfare payments fail to keep up with rising rents.

Homelessness has wide-ranging complications. While Cork City Council debates a plan to “take back the city centre”, the facts remain clear: more people are homeless every year, and efforts to address the problem are not enough.

I do feel safe in Cork, and I don’t have any “no-go” areas. However, I’ve heard concerns from lifelong Cork residents about some parts of the city. I used to work in the city centre, and over time, I stopped being surprised by the items I would see in the office carpark each morning — ranging from drug paraphernalia to the aftermath of alcohol-fuelled parties.

I’m not suggesting gardaí should be stationed at every corner, but it’s unlikely people spending the night on the streets prefer chocolate and marshmallows to drugs and alcohol.

Homelessness continues to rise across the EU, but some countries have made significant progress by adopting long-term, rights-based strategies. 

Finland is the most prominent example of how policy can turn homelessness around. Since 2008, Finland has implemented a nationwide “Housing First” model. People experiencing homelessness are offered permanent housing first, followed by voluntary support services such as mental health care and addiction treatment. 

As a result, long-term homelessness in Finland has dropped by over 70%, and rough sleeping is virtually nonexistent in many cities. Finland remains the only EU country where homelessness has consistently declined.

Sweden has also been effective, relying on a strong welfare system and tenant protections. While facing rising migration and housing pressures, Sweden has maintained relatively low homelessness rates by supporting affordable housing and providing social safety nets.

Similarly, Denmark has focused on housing-first programmes and targeted support for vulnerable groups, particularly youth. Between 2019 and 2022, Denmark saw a 10% reduction in homelessness.

The common thread among these countries is clear: homelessness is preventable and solvable when governments prioritise housing and support services. For Ireland, facing one of the highest homelessness rates in the EU, adopting a similar, comprehensive approach could lead to meaningful change.

In the “quest” by Cork City Council to take "back the city centre", councillors at recent meetings engaged in heated discussions. One claimed the city was "awash with drugs and violence", while another argued such concerns were merely sensationalising the problem. 

Nevertheless, the debate resulted in a unanimous vote to approve the South-West Regional Homelessness Action Plan 2025–2028. So, fingers crossed.

I have lived in different cities and on different continents, but Ireland holds a very special place in my heart. It is beautiful, colourful, and blessed with great people, and yes, I do feel safe in Cork.

The only thing I could complain about before was the weather — but this spring took that possibility away from me. Hopefully, for a very long time.

• Liudmyla Bortok is a Ukrainian journalist based in Cork