Local authorities report a steep rise in homelessness as families struggle with housing shortages
The official number of homeless people in the Mid-West has moved to more than 200, with most of those in Limerick. In the same timeframe, there has also been a notable increase in the number of adults dealing with homelessness.
According to the Department of Housing, September statistics reveal that 201 children and 118 families are homeless in the Mid-West. In September 2023, there were 117 families and 137 children.
The second-highest number of adults in the nation, 532, were reported to be sleeping in emergency shelters such as hostels in September. Of that number, 452 of those adults are in Limerick.
In August, there were reports of 182 children and 522 adults in the Mid-West who were homeless, with 447 of the adults living in Limerick.
The Human Impact: The Struggle of Families in Temporary Accommodation
David Carroll, chief executive of Depaul Ireland, voiced the charity’s concern over the worsening homelessness crisis in Ireland, where over 14,760 people—or about 0.28% of the population—lack secure housing, including 2,133 families in emergency accommodations managed by local authorities. While Carroll acknowledged that Housing for All has made some progress, he believes, “without the actions taken in the last couple of years, Ireland’s housing crisis would be in an even more dire situation.” However, he added, “it hasn’t been enough, and any new government must adopt a radical approach to addressing this national crisis.”
Carroll emphasized that the current housing market is failing those most in need, particularly young adults and single individuals, whom he sees as “particularly disadvantaged.” He urged that the upcoming election should “give hope to those more than 14,760 people languishing in temporary accommodation,” including many who have been there for over a year. He also pointed to a lack of any clear housing plan for those in direct provision who are permitted to stay in Ireland.
A Call for Action: David Carroll’s Urge for Radical Change
Calling this a “generational opportunity” to create a more unified society, Carroll stressed the importance of using state resources, saying, “We eagerly await confirmation of how Apple’s €13 billion tax payment could be spent on infrastructure and housing.” He concluded with a call to action, underscoring that “housing is the most basic and fundamental need, yet a large number of people in this country do not have a secure, affordable, decent place to call home. Something has to change.”
Speaking about the numbers, David Carroll, the chief executive of Depaul Ireland, said the charity that fights homelessness is urging any new government to act decisively in the face of a crisis that reached a new high, with over 14,760 people approximately 0.28% of the Irish population. That figure includes 2,133 families receiving emergency housing managed by the local government.