Homeless figures in Louth continue to rise with North East region reaching new high

The number of homeless people in Louth continues to climb higher, with the number or people in the North East region now over 200, according to the latest monthly report released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

209 adults accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation in the North East region during the week of 20–26 November 2023, according to the Monthly Homelessness Report November 2023, with 180 in Louth and 29 in Monaghan and Cavan.

This is up from 198 in October, when 175 were reported in Louth and 23 in Monaghan and Cavan. Of the 209 adults in November, 36 were aged 18-24; 102 aged 25-44; 59 aged 45-64 and 12 aged 65 and over.

109 were male and 100 were female. 123 were recorded as Irish citizens, 42 from the EEA/UK and 44 were non-EEA.

There was also a large increase in the number of homeless families in the North East region in November. 49 families with 99 children accessed emergency accommodation during the week of 20–26 November 2023 in the North East.

This is up from 42 families with 89 children in October, and 34 families with 83 children in September. 33 of the 49 families in November were single parent families.

Nationally, 9,409 adults and 4,105 child dependants were recorded as homeless in November, giving a total of 13,514  homeless people, up from 13,179 in October, representing another record high.

Commenting on the latest national figures, Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said that "rising levels of homelessness is further evidence that the Government’s housing plan is failing."

He continued: “Once again, this Government has broken all records for officially recognised homelessness. Over Christmas the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said that any reasonable person looking at the evidence would conclude that the Government’s housing plan is working.
 
“In fact, any reasonable person looking at today’s figures would draw only one conclusion, the Government’s housing plan is not only failing, it is making things worse.
 
“How long will Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael allow these homeless numbers to increase? Since the current Government was formed homelessness and child homelessness has increased by a shocking 55%. It is now clear that the longer Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are in office the worse the housing and homelessness crisis will get.
 
“Only with a change of Government and a change of housing plan, with a real focus on ending homelessness, can we start to undo the damage of decades of bad Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael housing policy.”