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Number Of People Homeless Reac...

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Number Of People Homeless Reaches Record Levels

Laura Donnelly
Laura Donnelly

02:26 30 Sep 2022


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There's a record number of people in homeless accommodation for the second month in a row.

It includes more than 7,700 people in Dublin.

Last month there was a record total of 10,568 - however that's already been surpassed.

In August, there were 10,805 people accessing emergency accommodation - a 2% increase on July.

It includes 3,220 children - which is up also a 2 percent increase from the previous month.

It's the highest number of children growing up in hotels and B&Bs since March 2020 - when the Covid-19 pandemic began.

In Dublin - there are 5,326 adults living in homeless accommodation - while 2,406 children are in the situation.

Housing Minister and Fingal TD Darragh O'Brien has not commented on today's record figures.

"Exasperated"

Sam McGuinness, CEO of Dublin Simon Community says: "We are exasperated by the increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation reported today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

"This news comes at a time when single homelessness is at an all-time high and exits from homelessness are at an all-time low as the availability of rental properties, as a social housing supply, continues to dwindle.

"Behind these numbers are people who are losing hope for a life beyond homelessness. As the record-breaking levels of people in emergency accommodation experience endless waiting, their mental health and physical health is declining. They are developing additional support needs which will make it increasingly difficult for them to live independently again. They are losing motivation, their resilience is fading, they are starting to give up.

"Among the people who make up this month’s increase are older people with complex health needs who never envisioned themselves in this situation and people in employment whose colleagues have no idea they are sleeping in emergency services at night. The picture is ominous as we face into the cold, dark winter months ahead and no real clarity or hope in Budget 2023 to support exits out of homelessness."

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