Number of homeless people in the West reaches 159, 29 of them are children

The number of people officially homeless in Ireland has reached another record high, with 13,179 consisting of 9188 Adults and 3991 children in local authority-managed accommodation at the end of October 2023. 

This figure represents a 55% increase in homelessness since the Government published “Housing for All”, the housing strategy that aims to end homelessness by 2030.

Noel Daly, CEO of North West Simon Community, was commenting on the publication of the latest Government figures on homelessness, which show that emergency accommodation was provided to 159 individuals in Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo during the week of 23 to 29 October 2023. 

The people homeless include 110 single adults and 13 families of 20 adults and 29 children. 

Noel Daly points out that the “Monthly Homeless Reports published by the Government relate only to individuals and families provided with emergency accommodation by the Local Authorities. They do not include households frequently described as the “hidden homeless”.

"People and families sleeping rough, living in cars and tents, sofa surfing, escaping domestic violence in refugees, sharing with parents, family, and friends, and/or living in houses unfit for habitation, and those who did not apply or were refused emergency accommodation. 

A recent report from Maynooth University entitled “Ireland’s Hidden Homelessness Crisis” estimated that the number of individuals in situations of homelessness (rooflessness and houselessness) in Ireland is almost double the current number presented in monthly statistics.

The number of people in emergency accommodation in the North West remained steady on a month-on-month basis, but there has been a 13.5% increase in homelessness year on year since October 2022. 

The number of homeless people is currently 85% higher in the North West than in September 2021 when “Housing for All”, the Government’s strategy to end the homelessness and housing crisis, was published. 

North West Simon Community believes it is better to provide early intervention services that seek to prevent people from entering emergency accommodation and avoid the trauma of homelessness. 

Homelessness in Ireland is measured by counting the number of people in Emergency Accommodation, and funding for homeless services flows from the decision of Local Authorities that a household needs such support. 

North West Simon Community quietly and discreetly visits people at risk of homelessness throughout the region and relies heavily on public donations to provide these specialist services. The organisation is currently appealing for funds to continue our vital work.  

People can view this appeal at https://www.northwestsimon.ie/north-west-simon-urgent-christmas-appeal-2023/.