As homelessness hit a new record of 14,009, Focus Ireland called on the Government to accept and implement the key recommendations recently published in a report by the Housing Commission it established.

The figures issued today by the Dept of Housing show a record number of 1,996 families and 4,206 children were officially homeless in April this year. The figures show an increase of 143 people homeless since the previous month and an alarming 14% increase in homelessness compared to April 2023. The number of children homeless has shot up by 17% during this 12-month period.

Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy Mike Allen said: “Focus Ireland has always argued that homelessness is a solvable problem, and an expert group which the Government itself established has now provided a pathway to solving homelessness along with the wider housing problem experienced by so many families across the country. Focus Ireland and others across the sector have been clear in welcoming the Commission’s report but the Government’s response has been far less clear. Focus Ireland recognises progress that has been made in delivering more social housing, but things are moving far too slowly for the over 4,000 children who are homeless in Ireland. Their lives should not be put on hold while the Government responds defensively when offered a pathway to a much more effective approach to providing homes in the social, affordable, and home-ownership sectors.’’

The charity said the Government could act today to prioritise moving the many families and individuals out of long-term homelessness, and straightforward changes could make rapid and significant differences to people’s lives.

Mr. Allen explained: ‘’While it is positive that more social housing has been provided in the past year – and new targets are to be set – it remains a stark reality that homelessness has increased every month. A key reason for the rising figures is that not enough of the new social housing allocations go to families and individuals trapped in emergency accommodation for lengthy periods.”

Focus Ireland also highlighted that this would act to reduce the number of people in emergency accommodation, and this could help the State to deal with the additional crisis of international protection applicants who were left without adequate shelter during severe weather conditions earlier this year.