Focus Ireland Says that a Plan to End Homelessness must be Central to the Next Programme Govt as New Figures Show a record total of 15,199 People Homeless

Focus Ireland said that the new record of 15,199 people now homeless must act as a wake-up call for the parties currently negotiating to form a Government.  The charity stressed that a coherent, funded plan to end homelessness must be central to the new Programme for Government – as the number of people rose over 15,000 for the first time ever.

Focus Ireland Director Mike Allen said: “The two parties involved in forming a new Government went through the election without making any substantial proposals to tackle homelessness, but today’s news of a record number of people living though the misery of homelessness is a harsh reminder that that a Government side-stepping the issue will not be an option. ‘’

As temperatures drop below zero after Christmas, there is also widespread concern for the few hundred people who are sleeping rough on our freezing streets nationwide. (There is a separate count for people sleeping rough and new figures also issued today by Dublin Region Homeless Executive show 134 people sleeping rough in Dublin alone – This figure doesn’t include people seeking asylum who are sleeping rough)  People know that this is not acceptable and not inevitable, and they expect their Government to put in place solutions in their new government programme to help end all forms of homelessness.”

The charity made the call as number of people who are homeless has increased to a record figure of 15,199 for November 2024. This is an increase in 233 individuals homeless on the previous month and a stark 12% rise in the last year since November 2023. The new figures also show a record number of 4,658 children and 2,168 families who are homeless. The number of children homeless has shot up 13% in the last year.

The charity said that homelessness is causing untold damage to many thousands of adults and children in society. Mr Allen said: “What we must always remember is that it is possible to end homelessness, and the Government must lead on this. We strongly believe there is a moral duty to ensure that the right policies are put in place to help ease this terrible human crisis and then move to end it.”

Mr. Allen acknowledged the emphasis on increasing housing supply in manifestos but cautioned against viewing this as the complete solution for homelessness.

He explained: “Building more homes is crucial, and it is positive to see cross-party agreement on much more ambitious targets for home building. However, contrary to what most party leaders seem to think, housing supply alone will not solve the homelessness crisis. We need to prioritise and support people who are homeless into new homes.”

Last year, Ireland built more social homes than it had in years, yet few homeless households were able to access them, and homelessness still increased. To reverse the trend, we need targeted use of housing supply, ensuring a portion of new homes is ring-fenced for long-term homeless households. In addition, there must be Investment in wraparound supports, including mental health services, care work, and community development initiatives. “

Media: Roughan Mac Namara – 086 8515 117

 Note to Editors: Focus Ireland has set out a range of practical, evidence-based responses to homelessness which it presented to all political parties during 2024. A summary of these proposals is on the Focus Ireland website. The broad range of proposals is set out  https://bit.ly/3DdxvLH and specific proposals for tackling long-term homelessness are at https://bit.ly/endLTHomelessness