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The Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Homelessness figures hit record of 15,915 people in emergency accommodation
LAST UPDATE | 53 mins ago THE NUMBER OF people in the State officially recognised as homeless stands at 15,915 according to the latest figures. A total of 15,747 people were living in emergency accommodation in May, meaning there has been an increase of 168 recorded as homeless. Today's overall figure includes 4,958 children – an increase of 114 on last month's figures. The statistics do not include people rough sleeping, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those experiencing 'hidden homelessness', such as sleeping in cars, on couches, or other unsuitable living conditions. The figures are taken from the week of 23-29 in June. Of the adults accessing emergency accommodation, 7,755 were in Co Dublin. Some 660 adults were in Cork, 510 were in Limerick, and 238 were in Galway. Meanwhile, there were 3,666 children living in emergency accommodation in Dublin. Nationwide, 2,320 families are in emergency accommodation. 'Shameful milestone' Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne described today's figures as a 'shameful milestone' and he said it shows how the 'government continues to deprioritise homelessness'. Advertisement 'This is what happens when you do not protect vulnerable renters, or prevent them from becoming homeless,' said Hearne. 'These numbers are real families and real children experiencing serious trauma day in and day out – their plight cannot be ignored any longer.' Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin remarked that the 'government failure is normalising homelessness'. 'There has been no emergency response to the ever-deepening homelessness crisis. Instead, there is just empty words and cruel inaction,' he added. Ó Broin called for an 'emergency ban on evictions' and an 'emergency supply of social homes to get people out of homeless accommodation'. Elsewhere, the Simon Communities Of Ireland noted a 'concerning trends is the sharp rise in homelessness among older people'. Some 249 adults over the age of 65 are in emergency accommodation – this is a 104% increase when compared to 2020, when 122 people in the age cohort were homeless. Ber Grogan, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said 'more older people are now left without an affordable, appropriate, secure place to call home'. He also noted the increase in 'children being forced to experience the trauma of homelessness over the last number of years'. 'These are two of the most vulnerable groups in society,' said Grogan. 'The Government must show they care,' he added. 'This crisis demands an age-appropriate, compassionate response.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Just 32 homes eligible for rent assistance payments in Ireland on market in June
JUST 32 PROPERTIES where tenants can receive assistance payments were made available across 16 separate areas in June, according to a survey of the housing market. Homelessness charity the Simon Communities of Ireland sought to tally the number of properties on the rental market where tenants could avail of the housing assistance payment (HAP) scheme. HAP subsidises rents on behalf of tenants by providing a portion of the cost to landlords on behalf of low-income tenants. Only 32 out of 978 properties in 16 areas met the costs within the discretionary rate for the scheme, the Simon Community said. Advertisement In Dublin, the discretionary rate allows up to an additional 50% on the standard rate; this is limited to 35% elsewhere in the country. The Simon Community's latest 'Locked Out of the Market' report notes large reductions in eligible properties in Dublin. Just nine properties fell within possibly eligible rent rates in north Dublin city and two properties were identified in Dublin city centre – a 44% and 50% reduction in the number of eligible homes, respectively. There were no eligible properties in Waterford city, Cork city and suburbs, Portlaoise, Limerick city, Athlone, Co Leitrim and Sligo town. Ber Grogan, head of Simon, said the results of its survey 'must act as a wake-up call' for politicians. 'We urgently need accelerated delivery of social and affordable housing, meaningful reforms to HAP rates, and a targeted strategy to prevent homelessness,' Grogan said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
18-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Number of properties available under HAP scheme fell last month
The number of properties that were available to rent within the discretionary rate of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme last month fell to 32. It is a decrease of nine properties (-22%) since March, according to the latest Simon Communities quarterly Locked Out of the Market report. Over three dates last month, 16 areas were surveyed which showed that 978 properties were available to rent at any price. That is a 17% fall from 1,178 properties that were available in June 2024. Last month, there were no properties available in eight out of 16 areas. These included Athlone, Cork city centre, Cork city suburbs, Co Leitrim, Limerick city centre, Sligo town, Portlaoise, and Waterford city centre. Four of the 16 areas saw a reduction in the number of HAP properties available compared to March. The four areas in question were Dublin city north (seven properties), Dublin city centre (two properties), Dundalk (one property), and Kildare (one property). Sligo Town and Portlaoise had the lowest number of properties available to rent, with just seven and two properties available in each area, respectively. As seen in previous Locked Out of the Market reports, the supply of properties within HAP limits were predominantly in Dublin. Last month, 22 of the total 32 HAP properties were in the capital. Just five of the 13 study areas outside of Dublin had properties available to rent within HAP limits. These included Dundalk (three properties), Galway city suburbs (one property), Galway city centre (one property), Kildare (four properties), and Limerick city suburbs (one property). The report considers the availability of properties within both the standard and discretionary HAP limits in 16 areas for household categories including single people, couples, couple/one parent families with one child and couples or one parent families with two children. There was a lack of availability across all household categories within standard or discretionary HAP limits. Discretionary HAP limits includes 'homeless HAP', which is the increased rate of HAP for people experiencing homelessness. In Dublin, the discretionary rate allows up to an additional 50% on the standard rate; this is limited to 35% elsewhere in the country. Last month, there were no properties available to couples or one parent households with one child through a standard HAP rate. There were 10 properties available through discretionary HAP rates. One property was available in a suburb of Limerick city to couples or one-parent households with two children through a standard HAP rate last month. There were five properties available for people in this category through discretionary HAP rates, and an additional 10 that overlapped with properties available to families with one child. Executive Director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, Ber Grogan, said the over representation of one-parent families in the thousands of families and children experiencing homelessness was particularly concerning. She said the latest findings must act as "a wake-up call" for policymakers. The report features Cork Simon service user Nathan who said he was "fed up" with trying to secure a rental property. "Most of the time you ring a place, it's gone. You get fed up of every day doing it and then you just give up for a while; depressed out of me head. You can't get out of it [homelessness]. "I don't seem to see a way anyway. And it's not for want of trying. A bed, a bathroom and a kitchen. Basics. Oh, I'd love it. Come and go as you please," he said.
Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
No rental homes available in Cork for families on housing assistance, Simon report finds
There is not a single property in Cork City and its suburbs that families on the housing assistance payment (Hap) can rent, as they are all too expensive. The Simon Communities of Ireland's latest Locked Out of the Market report for June shows just 32 properties across 16 areas of the country were available to rent within the higher discretionary rate of Hap, a 22% decrease since March. A majority of these homes were in Dublin, with none at all in Cork Cty, Limerick city centre, Sligo town, Portlaoise, and Waterford city centre. Furthermore, fewer than 1,000 properties were available to rent at any price, showing the dearth of properties available on the market even for those not relying on Hap to keep a roof over their heads. The charity's executive director Ber Grogan said these figures must act as a wake-up call for policymakers. 'Do they care that the rental sector continues to fail those reliant on Hap? Simon certainly cares,' she said. People entitled to housing support are being pushed further into homelessness and essentially, left behind. The rental market is failing those most in need. Charities in this sector have long called for reform of the Hap system. It sees households sourcing private rented accommodation but being eligible for the support, whereby the local authority pays the landlord but the household pays a weekly rent contribution to the local authority. Critics have said the limits in place for Hap have not kept pace with inflation. Those in receipt of it also are not eligible to remain on the social housing list for a more adequate, permanent home, as being housed under Hap means their 'social housing need' is considered to have been met. There is a higher rate of Hap for those experiencing homelessness, but the Simon Communities report found few options, even for those in receipt of 'Homeless HAP'. Included in the report is an account from Nathan, a Cork Simon service user. 'Most of the time you ring a place, it's gone,' he said. "You get fed up of every day doing it, and then you just give up for a while — depressed out of me head. You can't get out of it [homelessness]. I don't seem to see a way anyway. And it's not for want of trying. A bed, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Basics. Oh, I'd love it. Come and go as you please. Hap limits increase depending on the size of the family. The report found there were no properties at all available to couples or one-parent households with one child at a standard rate. There were just 10 properties available through the higher discretionary rates, all of them in Dublin. Similarly, there was just one property available to a couple or one-parent household with two children on the standard rate, which was in the suburbs of Limerick city. Five were available on the discretionary rate, in Dublin, Dundalk and Kildare. Ms Grogan added: 'We urgently need accelerated delivery of social and affordable housing, meaningful reforms to Hap rates, and a targeted strategy to prevent homelessness. 'We must ensure that hope is restored for those people who are locked out of access to this accommodation option.' Read More Housing Assistance Payment driving people to homelessness, charity warns
Belfast Telegraph
30-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Emergency accommodation figures hit ‘shocking' all-time high
The data shows that 10,805 adults and 4,775 children were accessing emergency accommodation during the last full week of April. In general, the number of people accessing emergency accommodation has been steadily increasing from approximately 8,000 in mid-2021. The statistics do not include people sleeping rough, couch-surfing or homeless in hospitals or prisons, or those who are in shelter for asylum seekers or domestic violence centres. Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland, said the figures show the 'Government's current approach to homelessness is failing'. He said: 'With the introduction of the new Housing Plan, the incoming minister has a vital opportunity to reset the policy. We have outlined our evidence-based recommendations in a detailed submission to support this change. 'It is totally unacceptable that there's a record number of 4,775 children homeless as we approach summer. 'This should be a carefree time for children as they look forward to school holidays and the longer evenings. 'Instead of this, the harsh reality for many children who are homeless is that they are studying for exams while living in family hubs or hotels without anywhere suitable to even do their homework.' The Simon Communities of Ireland urged the Government to 'act decisively' on homelessness. Ber Grogan, executive director of the organisation, said: 'This is the highest level of homelessness Ireland has ever seen, and it's unacceptable. 'Behind every number is a person – a family, a child, a life in crisis. We are pleading with Government leaders and local authorities to act decisively before this emergency becomes completely irreversible.' The organisation said there should be 'real investment' in prevention. 'On top of the rising numbers, we're now facing unacceptable constraints on our ability to respond. 'In certain areas, there is no funding for second-hand housing acquisitions under tenant in situ (TIS) or the Homeless Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). 'We are deeply concerned that these decisions will result in reduced supply and increased vulnerability for those already most at risk.' The Dublin rough sleeper count for spring, carried out over the week of March 31 to April 6, was published earlier this month and showed a decrease in rough sleeping since winter and spring 2024. The number of individuals engaged with by outreach teams during the week was 121, a decrease of 13 (9.7%) on winter 2024 when 134 were found to be rough sleeping during November 4-10 week. It represents a decrease of seven (5.5%) on the spring 2024 count carried out in the week of April 8-14. Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin TD said the Government must 'urgently fund vital homeless services and reverse recent funding cuts'. 'The latest increase is shocking but not surprising. It is a stain on this Government and our society. 'We cannot allow ourselves to accept this as normal. We must continue to be outraged by the fact that so many children are forced into emergency accommodation due to Government decisions. 'It is clear that we need urgent emergency action to tackle this crisis. Government must immediately reverse the funding cuts to vital homeless supports such as Housing First and the tenant-in-situ scheme. 'It is time to get feet on the street and put as much pressure on Government to take emergency action now to tackle the housing and homeless crises.'
