Winter 2022 Count of people who are sleeping rough in the Dublin Region

The Official Winter Count of people sleeping rough in the Dublin Region was carried out over the week of 7^th to 13^th November, 2022.

A total of 91 unique individuals were confirmed as rough sleeping across the Dublin region over the week of the count.

This represents a reduction of 3 persons (3%) on the same period last year, with 94 individuals found to be rough sleeping during the week-long Winter Rough Sleeper count on the week of October 25^th to October 31^st 2021.

It is the same number as the Spring Count 2022, when 91 people were also found to be rough sleeping.

The count was arranged by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and carried out by the Dublin Simon Community Outreach Team and supported by the Peter McVerry Trust Housing First Intake Team.

Additional Outreach workers were deployed to ensure intense coverage of city centre areas.

Staff in all four Dublin local authorities and An Garda Síochána provided additional information about people who were rough sleeping, especially those in isolated areas.

Of the 91 people met rough sleeping, 87 had previously been assessed by the DRHE for homeless services, and the remaining 4 persons were being actively engaged with by the Outreach team be assessed by homeless services.

The main characteristics of the group known to the DRHE were as follows:

• The majority of the people confirmed as rough sleeping were male, Irish and aged between 26-45 years.
• 79% were linked with one of the four Dublin local authorities.
• 24% were using tents and 76% were not.
• 12 individuals (14%) were found rough sleeping in both the Winter 2022 and Spring 2022 counts. A number of these are being targeted for a Housing First response, which will provide them with permanent housing and visiting supports to help them sustain their home.
• 1 individual (1%) was recorded as rough sleeping and having an active tenancy compared to the April 2022 count where 9 individuals (13%) were in tenancy.
• In the November 2022 count, 29 individuals (33%) had an Emergency Accommodation booking they did not access over the count week. A further 7 individuals (8%) accessed Emergency Accommodation during the November 2022 count week.
• 53 individuals (61%) had a booking for Emergency Accommodation at some stage in the three months prior the count, of which 29 individuals (33%) did not present (i.e. were no shows).

It can take several intensive engagements by the Outreach team with people who are rough sleeping to support them into emergency accommodation, but in the vast majority of cases the team are successful in doing so within a short time frame. 94% (n=82) of those found rough sleeping during the Winter 2022 count had booked homeless accommodation in the past, 61% (n=53) at some time in the 3 months prior to the count, and 23% (n=20) had a booking for emergency accommodation on at least one of the nights they were found to be sleeping rough.

The number of people rough sleeping in the Dublin Region changes from night to night.

While there is a core group who regularly sleep rough, that may or may not engage with services, there is a larger group that move between rough sleeping, accessing emergency accommodation, sleeping in insecure accommodation, and staying with family or friends.

Others may engage in rough sleeping for a very brief transitional period. Conducting this count over a one-week period provides more information on the different experiences of people who engage in rough sleeping.

Speaking in response to the Winter 2022 Rough Sleeping Count, CEO of Dublin Simon Community Catherine Kenny said:

“91 is still too many people sleeping on the streets. Nobody should have to sleep rough, especially not during these cold, wet and blustery nights. Sleeping on the streets is not safe. It makes people vulnerable to injury or attack and exposes them to illnesses associated with extreme weather conditions. It is also a profoundly sad and traumatising experience which can negatively impact a person for the rest of their life.

“This Winter, the Dublin Simon Outreach team will continue to engage with everyone they meet who requires support; working to address barriers to accommodation and advocating where necessary to move people off the street and into sheltered accommodation. We would ask the public to please continue to support the team’s work by reporting people in need of support on 01 872 0185 or via the app. Our trained and qualified staff are on the streets of Dublin city and county from 7am – 1am seven days per week and will respond to all reports.”

The full report is available on the DRHE website www.homelessdublin.ie