Rough Sleeping Numbers Fall as Single Homelessness Remains High

Dublin Simon Community advocates for frustratingly high singles category as total Dublin homeless numbers drop to 2017 levels 

 Dublin, 26 March 2021:  Dublin Simon Community has responded to the latest Homeless Report highlighting the frustratingly high levels of single homelessness in Dublin, despite a decrease in the total homelessness figure.

The February 2021 report released today by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage revealed there were 5,889 people in Dublin emergency accommodation, the lowest level seen since 2017.

The drop is driven by the ongoing decrease in family homelessness, which has fallen by 38% in the last 12 months. Meanwhile, 3,046 single people were recorded in Dublin emergency accommodation in February 2021, a 7.6% increase on February 2020.

Commenting on the report, Dublin Simon Community CEO Sam McGuinness said:

“Family homelessness is falling, rough sleeping is falling, but the number of single people in emergency accommodation remains frustratingly high. The problem lies in a lack of viable pathways to housing from emergency accommodation for this extremely vulnerable singles category who are spending longer periods now in emergency accommodation.  

  “We have had many successes this past year. Local barriers have been lifted and beds have been made available, allowing our team to move people off the streets and into safe and secure emergency beds. Over the past 12 months, the eviction moratoria have helped to stem the flow of families into homelessness and the availability of AirBnB properties have enabled us to double our move-ons from emergency accommodation.  

  “We need to create further opportunities to bring to an end this homeless congestion and ease the burden of this ongoing crisis especially for single people. We cannot allow any of the progress made to unravel when the eviction moratorium is eventually lifted.” 

 

 

ENDS