In the Eye of the Crisis: 2024 Annual Report shows 25% increase in demand for street Outreach services in the capital.
As the Government prepares its housing plan, the charity warns that soaring street need shows the urgency of a strategy that combines emergency measures with sustainable housing and healthcare solutions.
Dublin, 11th of September: Dublin Simon Community has today published its 2024 Annual Impact Report, The Road to Home: In the Eye of the Crisis. Investing in Solutions, marking the charity’s 55th year of operation. The report shows that its Outreach team supported more people on the streets of Dublin in recent years, with the number of interactions rising by 25% in 2024 to more than 8,000.
These figures reflect both the scale of need in the capital and the charity’s dual approach — responding to emergencies on the streets while opening a first-of-its-kind 100-bed Health and Addiction Care Facility and investing in sustainable, long-term solutions to end homelessness.
Dublin Simon Community Annual Impact Report 2024 Highlights:
- 1,722 unique individuals supported by Dublin Simon’s Outreach team
- Dublin Simon made home a reality for 1,570 people
- 814 people received medical and residential treatment across the charity’s detox and recovery services
- Over 350,000 meals served to Dublin Simon clients throughout the year.
- 1,920 hours of one-to-one counselling and crisis suicide intervention delivered.
The Dublin Simon Community Annual Impact Report saw reliance on the charity’s Outreach team increase dramatically from 2023 to 2024, reflecting a deepening crisis in the country. Figures from the Department of Housing show a 10% increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation nationwide between January 2024 and December 2024. In the same period, there was an 8% increase in the number accessing emergency shelter in Dublin alone.
Unprecedented pressure
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said, “In 2024, we accommodated more than 1,250 men, women and children nightly across our emergency, treatment and housing services, against a backdrop of rising homeless figures. Thus, giving people the dignity of a roof over their heads. Throughout the year, we provided 350,000 nutritious meals across our services. Additionally, our Sure Steps Counselling teams provided 1,920 hours of one-to-one counselling and crisis suicide intervention.”
Comprehensive, long-term solutions
“While we are ready to respond to the immediate crisis, our work goes far beyond the streets. We provide a full continuum of care: treatment, counselling and recovery services for people experiencing homelessness with addiction, and long-term supported housing for those who need ongoing help. We also offer independent housing units, tenancy support and homelessness prevention services, resettlement support for those moving on, and education and employability programmes that help people rebuild their lives. This equated to 1,570 people for whom we made home a reality. It’s only by combining crisis intervention with long-term solutions that we can break the cycle of homelessness.”
In October 2024, the charity opened its first-of-its-kind Health and Addiction Care Facility at Usher’s Island, dedicated to providing medical treatment to people experiencing addiction and homelessness. A collaborative project between Dublin Simon, the Department of Health and the HSE, the facility initially opened with 51 out of 100 beds operating. Recently, funding was announced to operate a further 12 beds. By providing early interventions and specialised care, the facility reduces the demand for hospital emergency department beds, shortens hospital stays, and frees up outpatient capacity.
These services not only alleviate pressure on public hospitals but also generate substantial savings by reducing the overall burden on the healthcare system. In 2024, 814 people received medical and residential treatment across Dublin Simon’s detox and recovery services. Once fully operational, Usher’s Island will support between 1,200 and 1,400 adults annually.
“2024 marked our 55th year in operation. While we are proud to have helped thousands across our services, we know that our founding members would be horrified to see the scale of the crisis and the number of people relying on us today. Tragically, our assistance is needed now more than ever. No matter how insurmountable this crisis might seem, we will keep fighting back and helping the most vulnerable in our society,” Kenny said.
To read the full report, click here: Dublin Simon Community 2024 Annual Report