BIG READ: We analysed six years of Tipperary homelessness data and here is what we found
Numbers have decreased significantly since 2018 but do appear to be on the rise this year
Homelessness figures in Tipperary are the highest they have been since June 2022.
The August Homelessness Report published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage shows 61 adults were in Emergency Accommodation between August 19 and 25.
This is up from 47 in July and 40 from April to June.
The report does not give a county breakdown of families or children, only a regional figure.
Tipperary is part of the southeast region where 62 families were in emergency accommodation and 118 children.
Tipperary had the third-highest number of adults in emergency accommodation in the southeast region after Waterford (102) and Wexford (68).
This week the Tipperary Star analysed six years of emergency accommodation figures to find out what if anything has changed since 2018.
Here is what we found.
SIX-YEAR ANALYSIS
A statistical analysis of emergency accommodation figures from January 2018 to December 2023 carried out by Tipperarylive has found that since 2018, emergency accommodation numbers in Tipperary have significantly decreased.
The average figure in 2018 was 67 people a month and in 2023 it was 39.
The monthly homelessness report published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage gives regional and county numbers of adults in emergency accommodation.
This is done on a snapshot basis which means a survey is done once a month between a set number of days.
However, county breakdowns have only been available since 2021.
Tipperarylive obtained the 2018 to 2020 figures from Tipperary County Council under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
Our analysis shows that emergency accommodation numbers decreased significantly between 2018 and 2021. The average monthly figure in 2018 was 67 people per month and in 2023 it was 40.
The figures significantly increased from 2021 and 2022 (37 to 57 on average) but not from 2022 to 2023 (57 to 40)
THIS YEAR
Tipperarylive continues to track emergency accommodation figures for 2024.
The average per month for 2024 so far is 44 people per month.
That is a very small increase compared to an average of 42 for the same period last year.
NOT THE WHOLE STORY
Homelessness is defined in government figures as those in emergency accommodation.
However, there are many more people who may be staying with relatives or friends, on sofas, in cars, tents and on the streets.
People in emergency accommodation are just one group of people who are homeless.
BEDS
As part of our Freedom of Information request, Tipperarylive also requested the number of emergency accommodation beds in the county and their locations for 2023 and 2024.
According to the figures provided, Tipperary County Council has 78 beds available for emergency accommodation.
So, they have more than is currently in demand and despite claims that the county’s provisions are over-subscribed.
Those beds are in Cahir, Thurles, Nenagh and Clonmel and are provided by private B&Bs, the 9-9 service in Clonmel, Novas and Matthew Bourke House.
These figures have not changed between 2023 and 2024.
The only type to change was OFDs. Tipperary County Council has 31 properties, which is ten more than in 2023.
Novas accounts for five beds in Thurles and four in Nenagh.
And, Matthew Bourke House in Thurles has five beds.