New Focus Ireland Figures Show Number of Families Becoming Newly Homeless in Dublin Every Month Hits an 18 Month High
New figures issued by Focus Ireland report that 99 families with 214 children became newly homeless in Dublin in July 2017.
This is the second highest number recorded since Focus Ireland figures for family homelessness in Dublin were first recorded in January 2013.
The highest monthly number (125) was recorded in January 2016.These latest figures means that a record number of 1,178 families with 2,423 children are now homeless in Dublin.
Focus Ireland Advocacy Director Mike Allen said: “These latest Focus Ireland figures clearly show the homeless crisis is continuing to deepen as the 99 families newly homeless in Dublin is a record high for the past 18 months. We had seen a drop in the numbers of families becoming homeless every month at the end of last year and earlier this year but this is no longer the case, and we are back to constantly rising numbers every month.”
He added: “We are in the middle of the worst homelessness crisis in living memory as nearly 8,000 people are homeless nationwide. Years of successive government underinvestment in social housing, together with spiralling rental costs have resulted in record numbers homeless in Ireland.”
“I would highlight that here is much good work being done by the State, Local authorities and NGO’s such as Focus Ireland and without this the current crisis would be so much worse. However, we must never shy away from saying it is crystal clear that not enough is being down to keep people in their homes and prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place. The Government needs to move from managing homelessness towards ending it and must take the decisions required to do this.”
Focus Ireland said there must be firm action taken in the coming Budget – which is on World Homelessness Day on Oct 10th – to fast-track delivery of social housing and also more steps to increase prevention for families and people at risk of losing their homes.
For the latest figures and trends please click here
For more information please contact:
Focus Ireland Advocacy Manager, Roughan MacNamara: 0868515117.
Focus Ireland Comms Officer, Alan Neary: 0864680442.