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Homeless figures for July reveal that more than 8,000 people accessed homeless accommodation in Ireland – including more than 2,900 children – creating another new homeless record in the state. The news comes on the eve of a summit called by Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy and the 31 CEO’s of local authorities throughout the country.

In all the regions Novas works, we have observed significant increases in demand for our services. Last week in Limerick the number of homeless families living in emergency B&B accommodation exceeded 60 for the first time. In Kerry, 25 families were residing in B&B’s, an increase from just six in May.

The situation is no better for single adults accessing our temporary and emergency accommodation services throughout the country, with demand exceeding capacity in every service. Indeed, most often, single homeless adults experience homelessness for longer periods of time and find it very difficult to access accommodation in the private rented market due to a dearth of one-bed units and ever increasing rental costs.

Novas calls on government to increase housing supply with urgency by acquiring and making vacant housing available and enhance the ability of local authorities to build social housing. Social housing must be provided by the state. The private rented market is not the solution to the current housing crisis. The issue of land hoarding must also be tackled through incentives and penalties. Novas also believes that a right to a home must be protected and enshrined in the constitution.

At a time when four homeless people have died in the last week, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to their family and friends.