Focus Ireland has called for urgent government action as the number of children who are homeless has risen over 4,000 for the first time (4,105).

The new figures – issued by the Department of Housing today – report a distressing record total of 13,514 people officially homeless in November 2023. This is an increase of 335 from the previous month and an alarming 17% higher compared to November 2022. There are now 2,000 families in emergency accommodation, 24% higher compared with November 2022.

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said that not only were there more children homeless than ever before, but more of them were also homeless for longer, increasing the harm that homelessness can cause.

Mr. Dennigan said: “2024 must be the year the government makes a different approach to homelessness and uses all available resources to reduce the number of people who are homeless, particularly those who are homeless for long periods.’’

“The Government appears to be overwhelmed by the problem of providing emergency accommodation for people who are homeless along with people who are here seeking international protection and those who are here due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Instead of seeing these as competing challenges, the Government should redirect its efforts into maximizing the number of long-term homeless households moving out of homeless accommodation and into their own home – this would free up emergency accommodation for asylum seekers and Ukranian refugees.”

“This is an entirely achievable objective. In the last two years more social housing has been delivered than for many years, but we are not using this resource to its best effect in reducing homelessness. If a fairer share of new social housing was allocated to those who have been homeless for long periods, we could reduce the harm caused by homelessness and ensure there was enough temporary accommodation for those who need this form of support.’’

Mr. Dennigan added: “Homelessness is profoundly traumatic for everyone, but it inflicts the greatest harm on children. It is truly devasting that an unprecedented 4,105 children were homeless in November when other children were preparing for Christmas. As a society, we need to progress beyond merely expressing disappointment at the recurring record-breaking homelessness figures each month and start doing things that change the situation such as a fairer share of social housing.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Dennigan added that while he understood the decision to bring the Irish support more into line with what is available in other EU countries, the decision to provide only 90 days accommodation to Ukrainian refugees did not seem to have been thought through.

He said: “This decision will force Ukrainian refugees to seek homes in the already pressurised private rental market, putting them in competition for housing with ordinary workers for the first time. This aspect of the policy has a number of risks and should be reconsidered.”