The North West Simon Community has said the reduction in the number of homeless people in the region was ‘short-lived.
They were speaking following publication of the latest government figures which show that emergency accommodation was provided to 155 individuals during the last week of July.. This number is made up of 107 single adults and 15 families of 18 adults and 35 children – many of whom seem destined to return to school in September from a homeless service.
“The reduction in homelessness achieved in the North West region in June 2023 was short-lived and highlights the need for greater urgency if the Government’s objective of ending homelessness by 2030, is to be achieved,” said Noel Daly, CEO of North West Simon Community.
Nationally, the number of people in emergency accommodation increased yet again to 12,847 last month. This figure which is made up of 3829 children and 9018 adults, sees a further 247 households entering homeless accommodation in the last month.
Mrl Daly says that the latest report shows that homelessness in the North West region increased by 11.5% month on month when compared with June 2023, and 46% year on year since July 2022, when 106 individuals were provided with emergency accommodation.
He also 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’. These include people and families sleeping rough, living in cars and tents, sofa surfing, escaping domestic violence in refuges, sharing with parents, family, and friends, and/or living in houses unfit for habitation, who either do not apply or are refused homeless services by the local authorities.
Homelessness in the North West region has increased by 80.2% since Housing for All, the Government’s strategy to end the housing and homelessness crisis in Ireland was published in September 2021.
Last month we saw homelessness decrease in the North West, when seven families comprising 9 adults and 19 children, were moved out of emergency accommodation.
“But it has only taken one month for the families to be replaced by two new families and a further 12 single adults,” Mr Daly added.
“It is clear from these latest figures and the continuing increase in homelessness we see almost every month, that the work undertaken by the government to date has not had the desired effect.” The targeted allocation of public housing to households in emergency accommodation, increased HAP Limits to assist in making renting accommodation more affordable, and a greater focus on implementing the homeless prevention measures included in the North West Regional Homeless Action Plan are all measures that can be expedited to help end homelessness in the region, he concluded.
