“Hugely disappointing.”
The number of people homeless in Ireland has passed 10,000 for the first time.
New figures released by the Department of Housing show that 10,264 people were accessing emergency accommodation in February 2019.
This is an increase of 277 people since January.
Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy has called the new figures “hugely disappointing.”
He said that although the government’s plans to address the social and private housing issue is “working,” more people are entering emergency accommodation.
The official homeless figures for February have been released. A total of 10,264 people accessed emergency accommodation last month. pic.twitter.com/kglieEMiYX
— Peter McVerry Trust (@PMVTrust) March 27, 2019
“I am in constant contact with local authorities and am working with them to help move families out of emergency accommodation and into sustainable housing solutions,” he said.
“As well as the increased supply of social housing, HAP will continue to play a vital role in providing families with a place to live until supply catches up.
“We will continue to work with families to demonstrate the benefits of this scheme over emergency accommodation.”
The number of adults in emergency accommodation rose by 117 to 6,480 in February, with the number of children rising 160 to 3,784.
There are now 1,707 families in emergency accommodation across the country.
New record figures of 10,264 must act as a line in the sand in the battle against homelessness. The UN & the EU Commission have both now condemned Irish housing policy. @focusireland has call for honest reflection by the Govt and a change in policy to end this human crisis. pic.twitter.com/wXaIT1BEzX
— Focus Ireland (@FocusIreland) March 27, 2019
Focus Ireland have called the new figures representative of a “human crisis” in Ireland.
Reacting to the report on Twitter, they said:
“New record figures of 10,264 must act as a line in the sand in the battle against homelessness.
“The UN & the EU Commission have both now condemned Irish housing policy. Focus Ireland has called for honest reflection by the Govt and a change in policy to end this human crisis.”
You can access February’s homeless report here.
