Dundalk Simon Community CEO expresses dismay at latest homeless figures

Homeless figures released today show 338 homeless people are in the North-East region, equating to 54 families, 116 children, and 144 single adults across counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan.

These figures do not include those rough sleeping, people in domestic violence shelters, refugees, and those on our streets seeking asylum.   

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dundalk Simon Community expressed her dismay at the concerning statistics, stating, “These increases are being driven, not by sustained high volumes of homeless presentations, but fewer people exiting homeless accommodation to tenancies. This is leading to more congestion in an already gridlocked housing system.

"These figures are disheartening and indicative of a systemic issue where the pathways out of homelessness are becoming increasingly elusive. Despite our unwavering efforts and those of our key partners, the housing landscape remains congested, hampering our ability to provide sustainable solutions for those in need.

“With a 43% increase in homelessness in Dublin since the last local elections in 2019, a more grass-roots approach is now needed. It’s way past time for the general public to make homelessness and housing the top issues on polling day 7th June. Housing is now a collective crisis in this country, and it needs a collective solution. Dublin Simon welcomes the recommendations from the recently-published Housing Commission report which we believe provides a road map to housing solutions, if implemented.

In the absence of a viable rental market and with the reliance on Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to deliver, we call on newly formed Councils in June to:

1. Increase targets to social housing and prioritise those who are vulnerable and those in emergency accommodation into housing.
2. Ensure ring-fenced funding for one- and two- bedroom units in residential developments.
3. Fully use all capital funding available under the Department of Housing and Local Authorities to meet new social and affordable housing targets.