Latest report shows rise in homelessness in Offaly
by Orlaith Delaney
The latest homeless figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has shown that there were 240 homeless people in the Midlands in October, including 67 children.
The figures relate to people accessing local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of October 21-27, and is up from 218, including 47 children, the previous month.
Whiile the report did not breakdown the figures for homeless children by county, it showed that there were 49 adults accessing emergency accommodation in Offaly in October, up 14% from 43 in September.
Nationwide, there were 14,966 homeless people, including 4,645 children. There were 2,161 families accessing services, including 1,245 single parent families.
In the Midlands, there were 41 families in homeless accomodation, including 35 single parent families.
In total, nationwide, there were 10,321 homeless adults, up 122 from the previous month. Just under three-quarters, or 72%, were registered in Dublin. The report showed that 65% of those accessing emergency accommodation were single, with more males (61%) than female (39%).
Of these, the majority (131) were Irish nationals, with 30 EEA/UK nationals and 12 non-EEA nationals also accessing services.
Commenting on the release of November’s Homeless Report, David Carroll, chief executive of the homeless charity DePaul, called on any new government to take radical action as homelessness numbers hit record levels with over 14,966 people, including 2,161 families, accessing local authority-managed emergency accommodation.
“Behind these numbers are men, women, and children living without a home and the impact on them is devastating. The time has passed for inaction or indecision – we are now faced with levels of homelessness we have never witnessed before. Where once 10,000 was thought to be unacceptable, it is hard to understand why we are now accepting this new level of 14,966. ”
“Little seems to be cutting through or making it high up on the list of priorities – but the future of 4,645 children trapped in the cycle of homelessness is now in the hands of any new government and they must adopt a swift and radical approach to addressing this national crisis.”
“The housing market is not working for those most vulnerable, we have families and children going into what could be their second or third Christmas in temporary emergency accommodation. We also still have thousands in direct provision - many who have been there for over a year or more and there is no coherent housing plan for those in Direct provision who have permission to remain in Ireland.”
“Any new government must gather a strong response to this crisis. Housing is the most basic and fundamental need yet a large number of people in this country do not have a secure, affordable, decent place to call home. Something has to change.”