Rough sleeping numbers rise in Dublin

The Official Winter Count of people sleeping rough in the Dublin Region* was carried out over the week of the 4th to 10th November 2024.

A total of 134 unique individuals were confirmed as rough sleeping across the four Dublin local authorities over the week of the count.

The report reveals that 134 individuals were sleeping rough across Dublin—a staggering 14% increase compared to the Winter 2023 count.

The count was arranged by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and carried out by the Dublin Simon Community Outreach 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 134 people met rough sleeping, 104 (78%) had previously been assessed or were assessed during the count week by the Local Authority.

The main characteristics of the 104 individuals with PASS** IDs were as follows:

· The majority of the people confirmed as rough sleeping were male, Irish and aged between 26-45 years.

· 86% were linked with one of the four Dublin local authorities.

· 43% were using tents and 57% were not.

· 17 individuals (16%) were found rough sleeping in both the Spring 2024 and Winter 2023 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.

· 12 unique couples comprising 24 individuals (of which 17 individuals (16%) had PASS IDs) were found rough sleeping in the November 2024 count, highlighting the need for an increased number of couple’s beds.

· In the Winter 2024 count, 19 individuals (18%) accessed Emergency Accommodation at some stage during the count week. A further 17 individuals (16%) had an Emergency Accommodation booking during the count week which they did not access (i.e. were no-shows).

· 58 individuals (56%) had a booking for Emergency Accommodation at some stage in the three months prior the count, of which 15 individuals (14%) did not present (i.e. were no-shows).

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said, ‘’We are alarmed by the rise in rough sleeping numbers in Dublin over the last twelve months.

“This is particularly concerning given the extremely cold conditions across the country and the multi-hazard weather event expected over the weekend and into next week.

“Combined with the thousands in emergency accommodation in the capital alone, the growing number of people without a place to call home represents a crisis that is only getting worse.

“These figures are more than just numbers—they are people forced to endure unimaginable hardship, particularly in the coldest months of the year.’’

The rough sleeper count, while an important exercise in understanding the scope of homelessness in Dublin, does not encompass the entirety of the issue.

The Dublin Simon Outreach team engages with people who are sleeping rough 365 days a year.

The team works around the clock to support those sleeping on the streets.

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.

Rough sleeping will remain a serious problem due to the lack of access to housing to help support people to exit homelessness. Dublin Simon is calling for a commitment from the government to invest in preventative measures, to fast-track building social and affordable housing, and to recognise the need for tailored supports that directly meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness.

“The number of people rough sleeping is deeply troubling on its own, but this is just the visible tip of a much larger crisis,” Kenny said. “We cannot allow these numbers to be viewed in isolation. There is an urgent need for systemic change to address the growing number of people without a place to call home.”

“Sleeping out on the street comes with serious health and safety risks.

“The Dublin Simon Outreach team will continue to engage with individuals by identifying their specific needs, referring them to wraparound services and advocating on their behalf with partners across the sector.

“If you see someone bedded down who may need support, our Outreach team is out on the streets of Dublin city and county 365 days of the year from 7am – 1am Monday – Friday and 9am – 1am Saturday – Sunday, and can be contacted via the Dublin Rough Sleeper app.”

Dublin Simon Community worked with staff from the DRHE and Dublin City Council (DCC) to ensure that experienced staff were available to carry out the official count in an effective, sensitive and professional manner.

* This number does not include International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) clients since these individuals are under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth.

** The Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) is an online shared system utilised by every homeless service provider and all local authorities in Ireland.

The system provides ‘real-time’ information in terms of homeless presentation and bed occupancy across the Dublin region.