Homeless figures for June break all-time record for 3rd straight month

15,915 people availed of homeless services in Ireland in May, breaking the previous record high.

June’s figures are up from the previous all-time record of 15,747.

The figure does not include “invisible homelessness”, such as couch surfing or people sleeping in cars.

Ever since the eviction ban was lifted in early 2023, the homeless figures have skyrocketed.

In the month before the eviction ban was lifted, January 2023, there were 11,754 people in homeless services in Ireland.

Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne said “these record numbers are a shameful milestone for a government that continues to deprioritise homelessness.”

“These numbers are the direct result of policy choices made by the government. This is what happens when you do not protect vulnerable renters, or prevent them from becoming homeless.

“Now that the Dáil is in recess, there’s time to reflect on the performance of this government to date, and the picture is not pretty.

“Not only did the department of housing tank shovel-ready social housing projects, it has gutted the Tenant in Situ scheme and made no attempt to adapt its policies in any meaningful way,” the Dublin North-West TD said.

“It’s disgraceful that the Minister announced that 5,000 homeless children is an inevitability – the shameful lack of concern and courage in tackling one of society’s most traumatic social issues is a damning indictment of this government’s approach to the housing emergency.

“These abject failures are intolerable and inexcusable – rising levels of homelessness will continue to outpace any social and affordable housing delivery from the State unless there is a radical shift in government policy,” Hearne said.

“These numbers are real families and real children experiencing serious trauma day in and day out – their plight cannot be ignored any longer.”

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community said “the alarm bells have been ringing for far too long.”

“We’re in the thick of a national emergency and still we wait for the government to take decisive action.”

“Of utmost concern is the rate of homelessness in the capital compared to the rest of the country. Since January, homelessness in Dublin has increased at a rate four times greater than outside the capital. A lack of delivery on social housing targets and resources to the housing sector in a growing capital comes with a price. The most vulnerable people are paying that price. Month after month, year after year, our capital city has seen more and more of its citizens left without a place to call home. With well over 11,000 stuck in emergency accommodation in Dublin, at what point will the Government decide to do what is necessary to address this great injustice?”