Rise in number of homeless families in North East region

There was a slight increase in the number of families who accessed emergency accommodation in February in the North East region, according to Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Monthly Homelessness Report for February 2023, released today.

29 families, with 58 child dependents, accessed emergency accommodation during the week of 20 – 26 February 2023 in the North East region, which comprises Louth, Monaghan and Cavan, up from 27 the month before. Of the 29 families, 18 were single parent families. 

155 adults also local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 20-26 February 2023 in the North East region, up from 143 in January. Of this 134 were in Louth and 21 were in Monaghan and Cavan.

Of the 155 adults, 24 were aged 18-24 years old; 86 aged 25-44; 29 were aged 45-64 and six were aged 65 and older.

Nationally, 8,369 adults and 3,373 children were reported as homeless in February, giving a total of 11,742 homeless people, down 12 on the 11,754 people reported as homeless in January.

Homeless Charity Depaul, in a statement today said, "clarity will be needed on how vulnerable cohorts entering homelessness will access vital community health supports in wake of eviction ban"

David Carroll, Chief Executive of Depaul, said that “it is heartbreaking that the number of people accessing temporary accommodation remains high and we know that these figures published today do not reflect the scale of homelessness expected in the next few weeks and months as the eviction ban lifts.

“We are very anxious of what may come in the next few weeks and we are focusing on a number of aspects that may occur - one of which is the health impact of the removal of the eviction ban.”

He continued: “Depaul’s prevention teams in the community are identifying specific vulnerabilities and stories have begun to emerge in the last number of weeks of more 50-60 year old single men who have been served their notices to quit and have nowhere to go.

“We are mindful that people with complex vulnerabilities may end up in homelessness and the role of the HSE will be crucial to monitor trends in physical and mental health and to support these vulnerable individuals. Our experience is that homelessness worsens health conditions and if people enter homelessness, there will be inevitable health consequences.

“Many vulnerable groups in the community have, at present, the back up of wrap-around health supports and we need to clarify how this will transfer to homeless services or temporary accommodation if they are at risk of eviction. What we are seeing now is a cohort of people who have never been homeless before. It will be essential that the HSE can facilitate the transfer of home health packages for vulnerable individuals and clarify the role of public health nurses and other health professionals in the coming weeks."

Mr Carroll added, “national figures show that 30% of individuals who are homeless are 45 years + and through our community based service we are identifying insecurity and anxiety within this age group. People are already under pressure and in a state of anxiety because of the eviction ban which will have inevitable health consequences. We have concerns that the older demographic already has a higher degree of health vulnerabilities than other groups.

“The eviction ban is putting people into deep uncertainty and compounding trauma and what we want to do is provide safe and effective services and safety nets for these vulnerable cohorts.”