Homelessness Crisis in Ireland

Focus Ireland estimates that there are up to 5,000 people homeless in Ireland at any one time. This is a huge concern. In recent years the numbers of homeless people has been on the increase.

People who are homeless face serious problems. It can be incredibly difficult to get out of their situation. Many face large barriers in trying to get permanent accommodation. For example there is a very large waiting list for local authority housing in Ireland.
There are also thousands of people, some with families to provide for who are at risk of becoming homeless. These people are often at risk due to a variety of reasons, including struggling to paying their rent or mortgage arrears.

Homelessness does not just include those who are sleeping rough. There are a large number of people all over the Country who are sleeping in cars, living out of hostels and guesthouses, or hopping from couch to couch.

There have been efforts to deal with the homeless crisis. An additional 31 bed spaces are on track to open to house homeless people in Dublin, with another 10 spaces to follow by the end of next week Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland has said. After a forum on homelessness on Thursday the 4th of December, the Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly pledged to offer 220 emergency services to accommodate those sleeping rough.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has offered substantial diocesan property to ease the homeless crisis in the capital, following the death of Jonathan Corrie who was sleeping rough just meters from Leinster House. But Bro. Kevin Crowley, who has spent decades working with homeless people, said the death was only the tip of the iceberg.

Other organisations and people have also kindly offered their services to help combat the serious issue that is Homelessness.