Posts

Recent homeless figures published by the Department of Housing highlight the growing homeless crisis, with almost 10,000 individuals currently experiencing homelessness in Ireland. This unprecedented rise is reflected in Novas’ 2017 returns. Last year, we worked with 4,572 people, who were homeless, at risk of homelessness or in addiction. This was an increase of 29% or 1,020 people from 2016. The growth was largely due to the development of new services and the extension of existing services to meet increasing demand.

In Limerick, where we served 3,482 people, we established a new emergency accommodation service to provide a nightly shelter for 292 individuals throughout the year. During the twelve-month period, there were more than 7,000 presentations to this service, which resulted in an additional emergency unit being opened in conjunction with the Limerick Homeless Action Team, on Christmas Week. This provision helps those who are most vulnerable and might otherwise be forced to rough sleep. Another service aimed at people most at risk is our Street Outreach which provides a warm meal, support and advice on a nightly basis. With more than 12,000 presentations, we conservatively estimate that at least 300 individuals presented throughout the year.

Also, our Out-of-Hours Service (OHS) faced unprecedented demand. There were more than 1,900 presentations from more than 500 individuals and families. For the first time ever, there were 146 presentations by families in crisis. In our dedicated Intensive Family Support service, 450 children from 175 families were supported throughout the year. Of those struggling with homelessness in Ireland, 1 in 3 are now children.

In Tipperary, we supported more than 50 households in a preventative capacity. In mid 2017 we opened a dedicated Outreach Office in Thurles, as we had identified a number of households at risk of homelessness in the region who needed supported to maintain their accommodation. In Kerry, as well as providing support accommodation and long-term Housing, a new Housing First service was established in May of last year, to support long-term homeless people access and maintain independent units of accommodation and provide supports in their own homes. In west Cork the number of families supported by Novas increased significantly due to rent hikes and a dearth in accommodation affected more and more low income families.

Until the housing crisis is addressed, numbers will continue to grow. Significant and unsustainable rents are forcing many households out of the private rented market into homelessness.