Ireland has registered more than 14,000 people as homeless for the first time, according to newly released emergency accommodation statistics. This marks a 14% increase from last year’s total of 12,276 people.
Among the homeless are 4,206 children, a figure that has risen by 17% over the past year. The situation is particularly severe in Dublin, where over 10,000 people are homeless.
While the growth rate of homelessness has slowed compared to a year ago when it exceeded 20%, the current figures still reflect a significant ongoing crisis.
Government ministers have repeatedly stated that addressing homelessness and housing issues remains a top priority. However, these statistics do not account for women in refuge centers, refugees, asylum seekers, rough sleepers, and the so-called hidden homeless, indicating the true number of people without stable housing may be even higher.