Dublin Simon Community Responds to August 2022 Homeless Report

The August Homeless Report has been released today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Figures show that 5,326 adults and 2,406 children in Dublin are in emergency accommodation at total of 7,732 in the capital out of a national total of 10,805.  These figures break previous record highs.

Sam McGuinness, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said:

“We are exasperated by the increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation reported today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This news comes at a time when single homelessness is at an all-time high and exits from homelessness are at an all-time low as the availability of rental properties, as a social housing supply, continues to dwindle. 

“Behind these numbers are people who are losing hope for a life beyond homelessness. As the record-breaking levels of people in emergency accommodation experience endless waiting, their mental health and physical health is declining. They are developing additional support needs which will make it increasingly difficult for them to live independently again. They are losing motivation, their resilience is fading, they are starting to give up. 

“Among the people who make up this month’s increase are older people with complex health needs who never envisioned themselves in this situation and people in employment whose colleagues have no idea they are sleeping in emergency services at night. The picture is ominous as we face into the cold, dark winter months ahead and no real clarity or hope in Budget 2023 to support exits out of homelessness.”

After nineteen years at the helm, Sam McGuiness will be handing over the role of CEO on 1st October, as he heads into retirement from Dublin Simon Community.