Over 13,800 people reported as homeless last month reaching a record high

According to Ireland's country report, there were 13,841 people in emergency accommodation during the month of February, marking a notable increase from the previous month's count of 13,531 individuals. Data from the Department of Housing indicates that during the final full week of February, 9,671 adults were utilizing emergency accommodations overseen by local authorities.

The number of children affected by homelessness has risen to 4,170 recorded in February alone. Speaking in Dublin, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said that efforts to bring people out of homelessness are the number one challenge for the Government. He stated, "My number one priority is to ensure that those who don’t have a home to live in will have a permanent home to live in. And we are making progress in that in that space."

In a statement, The Dublin Simon Community said that homelessness must become a top priority for the Taoiseach, adding that today's figures "reflect the scale of the crisis of homelessness that this Government needs to grapple with."

Focus Ireland said in a post on X...

especially social housing are inadequate to meet the growing demand. The Govt says it's meeting its target of 33,000 new homes annually. However, that's not enough as it's widely accepted more than 50,000 new homes are needed each year to effectively tackle the housing crisis 2/2

— Focus Ireland (@FocusIreland) March 28, 2024

CEO Catherine Kenny pointed out that Dublin now houses over 10,000 homeless individuals, surpassing the total homeless population of Ireland from just under two years ago.

"This is a devastating figure for our capital city. As the clocks move forward this weekend, spare a thought for those for whom time stands still," said Kenny.

In response to the crisis, Executive Director Wayne Stanley called for the construction of more social and affordable housing and providing support to those at risk of homelessness. He adds: "We need to see concrete actions to increase the allocation of social homes to those experiencing homelessness, particularly those in long-term homelessness. The Government should deliver on its promise to pass the Simon Homeless Prevention Bill, and enshrine a right to housing in the constitution."

According to a caseworker from the Irish Refugee Council (IRC), among the individuals seeking protection and sleeping rough, numerous have endured nearly 12 weeks of homelessness.

Sinn Féin's Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has urged for "a general election to address the deepening homelessness crisis" in response to the figures released by The Department of Housing.

"We urgently need a general election, a change of Government and crucially a change of housing plan to deliver the volume of social and affordable homes that are needed to tackle this escalating crisis."