There has been a drop in the number of people presenting as homeless and seeking accommodation.
There has been a fall in the number of people who are homeless with over 500 fewer in emergency accommodation according to the latest monthly figures.
The ban on evictions and the collapse in tourism under COVID-19 travel restrictions has seen a greater availability of accommodation.
Homeless charities like Focus Ireland have noticed fewer families presenting as homeless recently.
The latest figures for April 2020, show that there were 9,335 people living in emergency accommodation, a reduction of 572 on the previous month. The figure is 1,179 down on the highest recorded figure from October 2019.
With no torusits as a result of travel restrictions more accommodation has become available for social housing and HAP rentals. Mary Hayes of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive says that housing was made available quickly through a concerted effort across state agencies. Brendan Kenny of Dublin City Council says that the ban on evictions has also had an impact as well as a reduction in family breakdown.
Homeless charities are now calling on the government for the restriction on evictions to be made permanent. Roughan McNamara of Focus Ireland says that the benefits of the ban on evictions are evident in the fall in the number of people presenting as homeless.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 June 2020. The reporter is John Kilraine.
