Focus Ireland says it is disgraceful that 4,000 children will be homeless this Christmas as new figures show a new record total of 13,179 people now homeless

Figures published by the Department of Housing today show a record total number of 13,179 people officially homeless in October 2023. This is an increase of 352 compared to the previous month and an annual increase of 16% compared to October 2022.

The new figures show that the number of children homeless in Ireland has reached yet another record high, with 3,991 children currently without a place to call home, an annual increase of 15%.

Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy, Mike Allen said: “There is much good work being done every day by Focus Ireland, other NGO’s, and the State to prevent and end homelessness but we have to say it really is a disgrace that 4,000 children will be homeless in Ireland this Christmas.  It is heartbreaking to know that some of these children are only babies and will be spending their first ever Christmas homeless.”

He added: “Ireland is not a poor country; this should not be happening, and we must always remember that homelessness is not inevitable and can be prevented by the right policies.”

“The Government’s housing and homelessness strategy ‘Housing For All’ was drafted at a time when family homelessness was falling during the pandemic, and includes only one single action point on family homelessness (Action 3.16). As we hit new record levels of family and child homelessness it is clear that Housing For All is utterly insufficient to the challenges we face and that a new strategic response to family homelessness is urgently required. This would address the totally disproportionate number of lone parents facing homelessness, support vulnerable children and their families while they are homeless and to provide better access to housing to help more people exit homelessness.”

The charity has said it was now time for the Government to fix a date for the promised Referendum on a Right to Housing.

Mr. Allen said: “Focus Ireland believes that a referendum to rebalance the right to private property with an explicit ‘right to housing’ would be a crucial step in removing many barriers to tackling our housing and homelessness crisis.  Without a Right to Housing, there is no duty on the Government to ensure all people have access to adequate housing.

He explained: “Without a right to housing enshrined in Irish law or even referenced in strategy, individuals and families must resort to arguing tangential procedural rights to protect their fundamental right to adequate housing. We believe a Right to Housing would help to really drive more progressive housing policy to tackle this crisis and provide a legal framework for people to challenge the lack of provision of adequate housing.”

The most recent figures reveal that in October 2023, there were 1,939 homeless families, marking a significant 21% increase compared to the same month in 2022.