Further increase in number of people recorded as homeless

The number of people who are homeless in Ireland is continuing to rise, with 14,429 people needing emergency accommodation in July.

It includes 10,028 adults and 4,401 children.

The figure, which is up 126 people compared to June, is included in the Department of Housing's latest monthly homelessness report.

The number of men in emergency accommodation rose by 63 in July, while the number of women in emergency accommodation grew by 21.

The data shows that in the 12 months since July 2023, there has been an increase of 1,582 people (12%) in emergency accommodation.

Many families 'trapped in homelessness'

Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland Wayne Stanley has said that in the face of "this seemingly relentless growth, it is important that we do not lose sight of the fact that we can get ahead of this crisis".

He said that with the upcoming Budget and general election, the next six months will be critical.

The Dublin Simon Community has said that there has been an 11% increase in the number of people accessing emergency accommodation on year.

CEO Catherine Kenny criticised the Government's lack of progress and action.

She said: "Budget 2025 is just over a month away. Coupled with a looming general election and no guarantee that homeless figures will decrease before then, there is an urgent need for comprehensive, coordinated action to address the root causes of homelessness and alleviate the strain on emergency accommodation resources."

According to Focus Ireland, families have been finding it harder than ever to secure a home and move away from homelessness.

Reacting to the latest homeless figures, the charity said nearly 900 families had been homeless for more than a year and more than 400 of those have been homeless for more than two years.

"This means that not only are more families homeless, but many are now trapped in homelessness for longer than ever," Focus CEO Pat Dennigan said.

Figures 'absolutely heartbreaking'

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin described the figures as grim.

He said: "It is quite clear at this stage that the Government's housing plan is not working.

"In fact it is making things worse. More adults, children, families, single people and pensioners are homelessness today than when this government took office four years ago."

Sinn Féin is set to unveil its detailed alternative plan to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis next week.

"Only a change of government and Sinn Féin’s alternative housing plan will address Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s homeless crisis," Mr Ó Broin said.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik described as "utterly heartbreaking" that 4,401 children were returning to school while living in emergency accommodation.

"These are not just numbers; these are young lives being shaped by an environment of uncertainty and instability," she said.

In a statement, Ms Bacik said children should be growing up in a secure and nurturing environment, not in emergency accommodation "where the simplest of tasks, like completing schoolwork, may become a challenge".

She said that the figures showed that the Government's Housing For All programme had failed.

"It is now almost three years since the Government's Housing For All plan was launched, and it has failed on every metric," she said.

"House prices are up, homelessness is up, and evictions are up. The Government’s housing policy has failed miserably," she added.

Social Democrats' Spokesperson on Housing Cian O’Callaghan took aim at Fianna Fáil over the figures.

He said when Darragh O'Brien was appointed Minister for Housing, the party had "promised to turn the page" on the housing crisis.

"In reality, they have turned a crisis into a disaster," he said.

Yesterday, Minister O'Brien used the social media platform X to state that 35,358 homes had commenced in the first seven months of 2024, which he said was nearly double last year’s figure.

"Our commitment to increasing housing supply is delivering real results," he said.

Last month, Minister O'Brien rejected accusations that the Government was failing in its delivery of social and affordable housing.

In the first three months of this year 158 new social homes were built. The 2024 target for new social housing is 9,300.

Mr O'Brien promised that both the social and affordable targets would be met this year.

He said 83% of last year's social housing delivery was in the final two quarters, and was heavily weighted to the final three months.

Additional reporting Joe Mag Raollaigh