Commenting on the released figures National Spokesperson for the Simon Communities of Ireland said that it is really welcome to see the numbers continue to fall. We are now at the lowest number of people in homeless accommodation in Ireland since December 2017.
It is a testimony to the collaboration between local authorities, NGO’s like Simon, the HSE and the Department of Housing that we have been able to continue to support people to move on from homelessness even in the midst of the pandemic.
We also have to include words of caution, we cannot underestimate the impact that the emergency legislation that prevented evictions over this period has had on the number of people in emergency homeless accommodation.
These provision have played a huge role in reducing the number of individuals and families coming into homelessness. There is a concern that while we are seeing a fall in the number of people in emergency accommodation there remains a significant number of individuals and families who were in precarious living condition prior to the COVID crisis and with the pressure brought about by the COVID crisis that number is growing.
As the lockdown restrictions are lifting the new government will have to act immediately to ensure that supports are in place and reaching those most impacted by the COVID crisis to ensure that we do not see a wave of individuals and families entering homelessness.
Ends.
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Communications
Tel: 085 806 5141
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About Simon Communities
The Simon Communities support over 16,700 men, women and children. We have 50 years of experience providing homeless, housing and treatment services to people facing the trauma and stress of homelessness. We are a network of independent Communities based in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, the Midlands, the Mid West, the North West and the South East, responding to local needs and supported by a National Office in the areas of policy, research, communications and best practice. We share common values and ethos in tackling homelessness and, informed by our grassroots services, we campaign for more effective policies and legislation regionally, nationally and at European level. Whatever the issue, Simon’s door is always open for as long as we are needed. For more information, please visit www.simon.ie.
Services include:
- Homelessness prevention, tenancy sustainment and resettlement.
- Street outreach, emergency accommodation and harm reduction.
- Housing with support and Housing First services.
- Homeless specific health and wellbeing services (counselling; addiction treatment and recovery; and mental health supports).
- Personal development, education, training and employment services.
- Food banks, drop-in centres and soup runs.
