A total of 14,303 individuals accessed emergency accommodation nationally in June 2024, marking an increase of 144 (1%) from May 2024, according to the Monthly Homeless Report released today.
The report also detailed that 9,899 single adults and 2,093 families, including 4,404 children, were in emergency accommodation during the month.
Reacting to the figures, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien described the results as unfortunate.
“The June 2024 Monthly Homeless Report unfortunately records a further increase in the number of individuals accessing emergency accommodation,” he said.
“Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a top priority for this Government.”
He highlighted the investments made under the Housing for All initiative, with over €5 billion allocated for housing delivery in 2024, including €242 million specifically for homeless services – a 12.6% increase from the previous year’s budget.
“Increasing the supply of housing is critical to address homelessness,” he continued.
“This Government has made record levels of investment available under Housing for All to support the delivery of housing.”
He further said that “significant progress” was being made in preventing individuals and families from becoming homeless, including youth homelessness.
“The Quarterly 2 2024 Homeless Progress Report illustrates the significant progress made in preventing individuals and families entering homelessness,” he said.
“The 988 households, including 1,276 adults and 522 families, prevented from entering homelessness in Q2 2024 represent an increase of 41.5% in household preventions, an increase of 44.7% on adult preventions, and an increase of 48.3% in family preventions on Q2 2023.”
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s dedication to tackling homelessness.
“My Department and this Government recognise the significant and complex impacts of homelessness on individuals and families and will continue to focus our efforts on preventing homelessness in the first instance and on reducing the numbers of homeless individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the second instance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin slammed the government for the figures, with Housing spokesman Eoin Ó Bróin claiming that “government policy is driving month on month rises in homelessness.”
“Today’s Department of Housing homeless report shows all categories of homelessness increased from May to June,” he said.
“Last month there were 14,303 people including 4,404 children in Department of Housing funded emergency accommodation.
“Since Darragh O’Brien has been Minister for Housing homelessness has increased by 64%. Child homelessness is up 66%, family homelessness up 80% and pensioner homelessness up 83%.
“Government policy is driving month on month rises in homelessness. They are not delivering enough social housing. They are not doing enough to prevent people from becoming homelessness. And they are not doing enough to get people out of emergency accommodation when they are homelessness.”