Dublin Simon responds to Winter 2023 Rough Sleeper Count
Dublin Simon responds to Winter 2023 Rough Sleeper Count
Dublin Simon Community CEO Catherine Kenny responds to the Winter 2023 Rough Sleeping Count released by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) today.
The report found 118 people to be sleeping rough in Dublin, representing a 27% increase on the numbers in the Winter 2022 Rough Sleeping Count.
“This year’s winter count is a disappointing and frustrating number given the high intensity of work and assertive engagement with people sleeping rough to encourage them into shelter and housing. Outreach Team Homeless figures are at record levels and 118 is still too many people sleeping on the streets. On top of numerous recent weather warnings and events such as Storms Elin, Fergus and Debi, the recent riots on Dublin streets have created further fear and trauma for people who are already feeling fearful and lost.
Behind the numbers is evidence of intense engagement by the Dublin Simon Outreach Team.
“Dublin Simon has for over 50 years been consistently to the forefront of work with Dublin City Council in addressing long-term rough sleeping, and this winter will be no different. Operating 365 days a year, this group of trained and highly-skilled staff work at the coalface engaging with the most traumatic homelessness out there, rough sleeping. Additionally, our volunteer soup runs and breakfast runs provide additional support to people sleeping rough.”
Furthermore, the number of people in emergency accommodation continues to climb, with October 2023 setting a new unwelcome record with a national figure of 13,179 of which 9,713 of these are in Dublin. Of these, 44% of people in emergency accommodation are aged 24 or under. 77% of all children in emergency accommodation nationally are based in Dublin.
Frontline teams at Dublin Simon Community are supporting over 250 people in temporary accommodation or rough sleeping in the run up to Christmas. Sheltered accommodation is safer than rough sleeping, but nowhere is safer than inside your own front door. Over the Christmas period, our Outreach team will continue to work hard to support the most vulnerable people during this cold winter weather.
Sadly, rough sleeping will remain a serious problem due to the lack of access to housing to help support people to move on from being homeless. Dublin Simon is calling for improved access to a range of suitable emergency accommodation and move-on housing in order to end long-term homelessness and the need to sleep rough.
Dublin Simon Community worked together with staff from the DRHE and DCC to ensure that experienced staff were available to carry out the official Winter count in an effective, sensitive and professional manner.
“If you see someone in need of support, the Dublin Outreach team are on the street from 7am – 1am and can be contacted via the Dublin Rough Sleeper app.”
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community
