There are now over 11,000 homeless people in Ireland for the first time since records commenced back in 2014, when 3,258 peopele were listed in emergency accommodation.
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, stated in response to the October 2022 Homeless Report released today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, that this was devastating news and represented almost 30 per cent in a calendar year.
“We are devastated to learn of the continued increase in the number of people presenting to Dublin emergency accommodation services. For the sixth month in a row, we have reached the scandalous milestone of the highest number of people ever recorded in homelessness in the capital,” said Ms Kenny.
“Among this group is a growing cohort of older people presenting to emergency accommodation services. In the last 12 months, the number of people aged 65 and older residing in emergency accommodation has grown by 39%. Over the same period, the number of people aged between 45 and 64 has grown by 32%.
“Homelessness is traumatising at any age, and for older people, that trauma is compounded by the physical, mental and social challenges of age. No one should have to live in homelessness, and undoubtedly, no one should have to live their latter years in homelessness.
“It has been truly heart-breaking for our staff to see the growing number of older people arriving in emergency services and trying to navigate a system that is incredibly tough at the best of times. This should not be happening.”
Today’s publication of figures from the Department of Housing reveals there were 11,397 people – 3,480 children among them -, in emergency accommodation for the last week of October, an increase of 400 from September, a national disgrace.
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