Dublin Simon’s outreach team, which supports individuals experiencing homelessness, reported a rise in demand for its services last year when compared to 2023, reports RTE.
In 2024, the number of interactions with homeless individuals on Dublin’s streets went up by 25%, a figure the organisation said signalled a “deepening crisis.”
The charity’s 2024 impact report noted that there was an 8% increase in those accessing emergency shelter in the capital, while the figure rose by 10% on a national level.
Every night, the charity provided accommodation to more than 1,250 people—including men, women, and children—across its emergency, housing, and treatment services, in addition to serving 350,000 meals, reports RTE.
Beyond its core focus on street homelessness, Dublin Simon also offers services such as personalised counselling and suicide crisis support.
In October 2024, the organisation launched a groundbreaking Health and Addiction Care Facility at Usher’s Island, designed specifically to offer medical support to individuals facing both addiction and homelessness, reports RTE.
The project is a joint effort between Dublin Simon, the Department of Health, and the HSE, and currently runs with 63 active beds.
Although the facility is designed to host up to 100 beds, additional funding is necessary for the full capacity to be used, reports RTE.
CEO Catherine Kenny highlighted that through early intervention and tailored care, the new centre helps ease pressure on emergency departments, reduce hospital admissions, and increase outpatient availability.
Throughout 2024, a total of 814 people accessed the charity’s detox and recovery programmes for both medical and residential treatment, reports RTE.
When it reaches full capacity, the Usher’s Island facility is expected to cater to between 1,200 and 1,400 adults each year.
As a registered Approved Housing Body (AHB), Dublin Simon Community “made home a reality” for 1,570 individuals.
The organisation is now calling for a well-funded and incentivised national housing strategy that prioritises the most vulnerable, with a proposal to raise social and affordable housing to 20% of the total national supply, reports RTE.
They have also recommended reserving at least 20% of housing allocations specifically for those experiencing chronic homelessness, with housing tailored to their particular needs.
The charity used the report to further criticise bureaucratic delays, arguing that excessive red tape is obstructing the progress of crucial social housing developments and must be addressed, reports RTE.
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