A record 14,966 people were homeless in Ireland at the end of October. This includes 10,321 adults, and 2,161 families with 4,645 children who are facing into Christmas without a home.
It is a rise of just under 200 month-on-month, when there were 14,760 people homeless in Ireland as the grim milestone of 15,000 before the end of the year now seemingly beckons.
With the public going to the polls on Friday, advocates in the sector have urged newly-elected TDs to make solving this crisis a priority over the term of the next Dáil.
The Simon Communities of Ireland said it remains to be seen whether the next Government would take the action needed. Its interim executive director Tony Geoghegan said: “While there have been commitments by Government over the years to address the issues, the problem continues unabated.”
Depaul’s chief executive David Carroll said that whereas once a figure of 10,000 people was unacceptable, it is difficult to understand why such a greater figure is now acceptable.
“Little seems to be cutting through or making it high up on the list of priorities – but the future of 4,645 children trapped in the cycle of homelessness is now in the hands of any new government and they must adopt a swift and radical approach to addressing this national crisis,” he said.
Sinn Féin had called for the early publication of the homelessness figures so that they wouldn’t be released on the day the country voted in the general election. The Government accused the opposition of trying to “politicise” the issue with Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien saying that the figures have to be “independently verified”.
In the month before the last general election, there were 10,271 in emergency accommodation. It has risen 47% since then. Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has said that ‘the latest rise in homeless numbers confirms why we need a change of Government.’ “Today’s report from the Department of Housing shows that the number of people in emergency accommodation in October has increased yet again to 14,966 people including 4,645 children.
“Once again, the number of adults, children, single people, and families without a home has increased. And this just weeks after the Government announced its record giveaway budget.
“The latest rise in homeless numbers confirms why we need a change of Government.
“As people go to the polls throughout today, they should ask themselves do they want another five years of rising homelessness. Because that is what they will get it Fianna Fail and Fine Gael go back into Government.
“Only Sinn Féin has a comprehensive plan to tackle the housing crisis, to reduce homelessness year on year and to end long term homelessness by 2030.''
