More than 1,000 families will spend Christmas in emergency accommodation this year in Ireland.
According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, there were 8,484 people in homeless emergency accommodation during the last week of November.
The number includes 1,034 families — a reduction on the previous month, which saw 1,117 families homeless. It also includes 2,452 children.
Overall, the number of those experiencing homeless fell by 253 people on the previous month.
The Simon Communities, which provides services to those experiencing homelessness across the country, said it is facing increasing pressure over the Christmas and New Year period as Ireland also faces into a third Covid-19 lockdown.
“There has been a welcome fall in the number of families in emergency accommodation this month but we have to be cautious as some families are taken in by relatives during the Christmas period,” Wayne Stanley, National Spokesperson for the Simon Communities said.
Mr Stanley cautioned that the number of single people in homelessness has risen again to 4,536 adults. 3,442 of those who are currently homeless are aged between 25 and 44.
This may be the most challenging Christmas... in the 50 years we have existed
“Simon services are preparing for what the Christmas and New Year period brings and the rocketing Covid numbers this week are very concerning,” Mr Stanley said.
“Christmas is always a time of heightened emotion and isolation for people experiencing homelessness and this year even more so as Covid numbers increase and we’re all asked to limit our contacts.
“Many vulnerable people in homelessness have underlying health issues and we have to do everything we can to keep them safe. This may be the most challenging Christmas for our clients and frontline services in the 50 years we have existed.”
Mr Stanley said the Covid-19 crisis had highlighted how critical a home is and called for the Government to deliver on its commitment to hold a referendum on a right to housing.
Eviction ban
Ahead of Christmas Eve's Level 5 lockdown, Focus Ireland has meanwhile called for a broader eviction ban until April 2021 to prevent homeless services from becoming “stretched to breaking point”.
“A more easily understood eviction ban is required to fully protect all people who rent their homes during this pandemic,” Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said.
“The decision to link tenancy protection to Covid-19 restrictions is becoming hard to follow, as the Government is forced to change these measures dependent on the levels from 1 to 5.”
“We are especially encouraged with the lower number of children who are homeless from 3,752 in November last year, to 2,452 this month,” Mr Dennigan added.
“Unfortunately 2021 is another year in which babies will be born into homelessness and will be spending their first year in emergency accommodation.
“Next year needs to be the time the State really starts to deliver more social housing, so we can begin to see significant progress for more families and children who are without a home.”
