10 Facts About Homelessness in Ireland: Insights into Causes, Effects, and Solutions

10 Facts About Homelessness in Ireland Insights into Causes Effects and Solutions

Introduction

In Ireland, owing to a sharp increase in people living without stable housing, homelessness has hit new levels of criticality. This is a complex issue that combines socioeconomic and political factors and which deserves immediate attention.

In this article we will discuss 10 Facts About Homelessness in Ireland with a focus on the causes, effects and possible solutions. These are insights into a situation that is incredibly urgent and needs to be addressed.

Fact 1: Rising Homeless Population In Major Cities

First things first! One of the most pressing aspects covering the 10 facts about homelessness in Ireland is the dramatic increase of homeless people in large urban areas is one of the greatest consequences of the homelessness crisis in Ireland.

The shortage of affordable housing in Ireland has seen cities like Dublin, Cork and Galway hit by an alarming rise in the number of homeless people.

New homelessness statistics from Ireland show more than 12,600 people are homeless and about 70% of those homeless live in Dublin.

Most of the growth of homelessness in Dublin can be directly connected to the housing crisis. There aren’t enough available, affordable rental properties ᅳ that forces a lot of families and individuals into temporary accommodations or onto the streets.

The effort by the government to address the crisis through the offering of social housing in Ireland has failed, as demand remains keen and outstrips supply.

The crisis will see 30,000 new housing units built in Ireland per year by the government in 2023, but housing in Ireland is still volatile, leaving those waiting for affordable housing often in emergency accommodation for homeless individuals waiting for long periods.

Fact 2: Youth homelessness On The Rise

There are also more and more homeless youth in Ireland. A number of young people, aged 18 to 25, in particular, are falling on to the streets because they are unemployed, bereaved, have a breakdown in their family life, or simply cannot find affordable rental.

More than 1,200 children and teenagers are currently living in emergency accommodation for homeless families, double last year’s numbers, according to data from Focus Ireland.

There are multiple causes of why young people in Ireland become homeless. One of the effects is that economic instability in the job market makes many children unable to get a stable job and benefits from any work they do. 

It’s made even more difficult by the utter lack of financial freedom in urban areas, where the cost of living is high enough that young adults can’t afford to rent.

In Ireland, the increasing number of homeless youth is also related to family breakdowns, offenders with mental health issues and substance abuse problems.

Due to a lack of support services, many of these young people are left to become the best of themselves on the streets, where they are at greater risk of violence, exploitation and chronic poverty.

Fact 3: Impact On Families 

Another side including the 10 facts about homelessness in Ireland that has seen a sharp increase is family homelessness. By mid 2024, over 3,500 children were recorded as being homeless living in temporary accommodation with their families.

Ireland’s homeless statistics also show that families are becoming more susceptible to the higher cost of living, reducing the number of jobs and the lack of affordable housing in Ireland. Homelessness is especially damaging to children.

Children living in emergency accommodation for homeless families are denied even the basics – things like adequate nutrition, stable education, and a safe living environment. 

A lot of children have problems with development, with emotions and behaviour, with increased stress caused by living in temporary housing, such as hotels, hostels or shelters. 

The family, especially the children, experience a psychological and physical burden to which long term solutions are needed, such as increased access to social housing in Ireland.

Fact 4: Housing Crisis & Homelessness Link

One of the biggest causes revolving around the 10 facts about homelessness in Ireland today is Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis. 

Due to its lack of adequate housing supply, and rising housing prices and rents, many low income people and families have been living in a precarious living condition.

The private rental is proving to be money that many cannot afford, with rents in Dublin exceeding €2,000 per month on average.

The overall result has been many people having nowhere to stay with the need increasing to house people in an emergency homeless solution.

But Irish government efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing in Ireland have been slow.

Construction delays, high building costs and bureaucratic hurdles have so far hampered efforts to confront the housing crisis.

In Ireland, where the housing shortage continues to push homelessness statistics in Ireland upwards, more and more people are unable to find stable long term housing.

Fact 5: Mental Health Issues

Homelessness and mental health go hand in hand. There are many homeless people in Ireland who also suffer with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. 

These conditions can be a precursor and consequence of homelessness. Having mental health problems, but no stable housing, just makes things worse as it means that you cannot access necessary services or hold down employment.

There are few mental health services for homeless people, making an end to homelessness very difficult.

 At the same time finding new ways to reduce homelessness in Ireland starts with addressing mental health needs; unless treated, many people are not able to make the necessary recovery and integrate into society.

In Ireland further mental health services, along with social housing, could become the base upon which long term recovery and stability exists.

Fact 6: Role Of Government and Social Housing Programs

The Irish government recognizes the magnitude of the problem of homelessness situation in Ireland and has introduced some policies to provide housing socially.

The Housing for All plan, rolled out in 2021, will, it says, see 33,000 new homes built each year, making a dent in Ireland’s anguish over the lack of affordable housing and the long stays of homeless families and individuals in emergency accommodation.

That’s commendable effort, but progress has been glacial. A number of the planned projects were delayed due to a shortage of housing stock and rising cost of construction.

In addition, in Ireland, social housing is supposed to offer permanent solutions, but many will be on waiting lists for many years before booking stable accommodation.

As a result, reliance has increased on short term fixes, like emergency housing for homeless families, a system that provides very little in the way of stability or security.

Fact 7: Homelessness And Poverty

Homelessness in Ireland is driven by poverty. Homeless individuals often come from families with a poor income as a result, preventing individuals with poor means and resources from accessing opportunities.

It creates a gap between wages and cost of living — especially in large cities like Dublin — so many people are left vulnerable to homelessness.

Jobs are not enough for rent, food or other basic necessities, and many of those who do have jobs are also forced to take shelter or emergency accommodation for homeless people.

The reverse to a rise in homelessness statistics in Ireland, reflects the overall economic inequality that continues to exist in the country.

Tackling the root causes of homelessness is essential; policies that reduce poverty; increase wages; and improve access to education and employment opportunities will all help.

Fact 8: Charities and Non-Governmental Efforts

Further adding to the discussion regarding 10 facts about homelessness in Ireland, we cannot ignore the importance of how the Government as well as several charities and NGOs can play their part. 

Other organisations such as Focus Ireland, the Simon community and Peter McVerry Trust are of massive help to the absolutely homeless individuals and families. 

Services range from emergency accommodation for homeless individuals to food and clothing distribution, counselling and legal advocacy, via these groups.

Charities also encourage the public to pay attention to Ireland’s causes of homelessness as well as lobby for policy changes that will tackle the problem for good.

Their work on the ground bridges that gap that public services leave, making sure those who are experiencing homelessness get the care they need.

Fact 9: Emergency Accommodations And Shelters

Emergency accommodation for the homeless helps, but it is not a permanent solution. However, many shelters are overcrowded and those on temporary accommodation have long waiting times for more permanent housing.

As more and more people find themselves homeless with no stable home, emergency shelters have been stretched to the limit in recent years.

Hardly an alternative to social housing in Ireland, and underlining why there is still a reliance on emergency accommodation, homeless individuals are left to become more dependent on emergency temporary accommodation.

Shelters provide a temporary escape but they don’t fix the problems that cause someone to become homeless and they don’t provide the stability that people need to put their lives back together.

Fact 10: Long Term Solutions To Address Homelessness

Breaking the homelessness crisis in Ireland will take a holistic approach to tackle the issues of poverty, mental health and the housing crisis, as identified by the Ireland Government.. 

While a commitment by the Irish government to build more homes is a good thing, more must be done to ensure these homes are habitable for those most in need.

Policies to address income inequality, job creation and mental health services are all important in addition to policies focused on increasing the availability of affordable housing in Ireland. 

Social housing, with the support services, can assist people and families leaving emergency accommodation for homeless people, to move into more secure long term housing.

Conclusion

Homelessness in Ireland is an issue complicated by several factors related to the increased number of homeless individuals and families. This article explores the 10 Facts About Homelessness in Ireland which point to the imperative need for action. 

The crisis is affecting people from all walks of life from growing homeless populations in cities to increasing homeless youth in Ireland.

Both government efforts and the work of charities and NGOs like Dublin Simon Community are vital to fixing the homelessness crisis in the here and now, and laying the groundwork for long term solutions. 

Tackling the causes of homelessness, offering social housing in Ireland, giving emergency accommodation to the homeless are all measures which have to be done to tackle the pressing social issue.

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