After yet another record number of persons living in emergency housing was reported, the number of homeless people in Ireland now surpasses the capacity of Hill 16 in Croke Park, reports Breaking News.
In June, 14,303 people—9,899 adults and 4,404 children—were residing in emergency housing, according to the Department of Housing.
This is a 13 percent rise from the previous year and a 144 person increase since May.
In contrast, there are 13,000 seats available at Hill 16 in Croke Park, the site of this weekend’s All-Ireland football final, reports Breaking News.
The government has consistently said that reducing the number of those who are officially homeless is a top objective.
The number provided by the State does not include women living in shelters, unsheltered homeless people, refugees, or asylum seekers.
The current numbers were seen as “shocking, yet unsurprising” by Rebecca Hamilton, policy analyst at the Simon Communities of Ireland, reports Breaking News.
“4,404 children are spending their summer holidays in emergency accommodation and simply, that is not good enough. It is possible to end homelessness. However, without a change in approach to tackling homelessness, we can expect it to continue to rise. Month on month, the Simon Communities of Ireland highlight how this crisis demands emergency action. The absence of a secure and safe place to call home is devastating, often leading to isolation, poor physical and mental health. Budget 2025 must reflect the crisis we are in and provide the necessary investment needed to make a meaningful impact on homelessness,” she said, reports Breaking News.
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