27th October 2023
Another extremely concerning increase in Homeless numbers as we head into the winter months – Simon Communities of Ireland
The Simon Communities of Ireland once again express their concern at the growing numbers of men women and children in homelessness facing into the winter months.
The latest figures show 12,827 men, women and children in emergency homeless accommodation. This is an increase of 1852 people in emergency accommodation (17%) in the 12 months since September 2022.
- 1892 were families – this is 6 more than the previous month and a 20% (658) increase in the year.
- 3904 were Children– this is an increase of 9 on the previous month
Wayne Stanley, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said:
“The figures released today are the highest number of men, women and children experiencing homelessness ever recorded in the month of September.
This concerning trend is driven by the lack of secure affordable homes. Our latest quarterly report, Locked Out of the Market, showed the lowest number of HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) properties on record. This unfortunate milestone was also observed in September.
As we head into the winter months, we are again calling for increases in the HAP rates, increased allocation of social housing to those in homelessness and the overdue implementation in the Simon Homeless Prevention Bill.
This Bill, if passed, would insert a mechanism for local authorities to proactively prevent homelessness. The dire need for such preventive measures has become increasingly apparent in the face of these record numbers.
If these actions are not to be implemented as a matter of urgency, we must ask the Government, what is next? Choices were made in the Budget and the clear consensus is that there was no substantial action there to make a significant dent in the ongoing homelessness crisis. We have said it before, a crisis demands a crisis response. We saw the impact of the efforts made during the pandemic to reduce homelessness so we know a crisis response will deliver results. We are calling on the government to act.”
ENDS
For further information contact Aileen Gaskin 087 7724 717 / communications@simoncommunity.com
