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Latest homeless figures show 9,968 people in emergency accommodation

There's been another rise in the number of people living in emergency accommodation. The latest o...
Newstalk
Newstalk

17.05 20 Dec 2018


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Latest homeless figures show 9...

Latest homeless figures show 9,968 people in emergency accommodation

Newstalk
Newstalk

17.05 20 Dec 2018


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There's been another rise in the number of people living in emergency accommodation.

The latest official figures show 9,968 people were homeless last month.

It's an increase of more than 240 people compared to last month, when 9,724 were in emergency accommodation. 

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The November figures break down as 6,157 adults and 3,811 children.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy claims the overall increase was "anticipated" as rough sleepers were moved into temporary beds for winter.

Eoghan Murphy has admitted it is "very disappointing" to see more children in emergency accommodation as we enter into Christmas week.

In a statement, he said: "I am glad though that for a very large number of families, they will not be spending this Christmas in a hotel thanks to the dedicated efforts of all involved and the continued rollout of new Family Hubs.

“I want to assure all individuals and families experiencing homelessness that it is an absolute priority for my Department to deliver the housing solutions needed."

"We need greater action"

Responding to the figures, homeless charity Focus Ireland called for more urgency from the Government in tackling the crisis.

The charity's CEO Pat Dennigan said: "We need greater action and must not to tolerate the fact that nearly 4,000 children are homeless in our society. We need to all work to change this in 2019 and the Government must lead the way.

"Focus Ireland has constantly maintained that there will be no solution to the homeless crisis until the Government takes more serious measures to prevent families losing their homes.”

The Inner City Helping Homeless group, meanwhile, claimed the true figure of homeless is "well above 10,000" due to the 'recategorisation' of more than 1,500 people earlier this year.

Spokesperson Brian McLoughlin observed: "Christmas is supposed to be the most exciting time of year for children yet many face the uncertainty of life in emergency accommodation over the festive period.

"The Government has continuously failed these children by failing to provide proper homes and their refusal to build social and affordable housing on public lands is the reason for this."


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