Minister Murphy’s statement on March homeless figures

Mr. Eoghan Murphy TD, Minister for Housing, Planning & Local Government, today (30 April 2019) published his Department’s March Homelessness Report. The report, based on data provided by housing authorities, captures details of individuals accessing State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities.

• Adults associated with these families are included in the 6,484 figure

Commenting on the figures, Minister Murphy said:

“The figures for March show a slight increase on February, with four additional adults and 37 additional dependants in emergency accommodation. We continue to put considerable efforts in to prevent people from entering emergency accommodation, while also exiting as many families and individuals from homelessness as possible each month.”

The Minister also commented on the results of the Spring Rough Sleeper Count, published by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive today.

“I want to welcome the news from the DRHE today that their latest count showed a decrease in the number of people sleeping rough on our streets since last November. Our aim is to get people sleeping rough into emergency services and to establish a route to a sustainable tenancy. This is why we increased the number of new beds over the winter period and why I am working closely with the Minister for Health to ensure that those rough sleeping and accessing emergency accommodation receive the health supports that they need. Housing First will continue to play a crucial role in supporting those with high support needs to exit homelessness to a home”.

A link to the March Homeless Report can be found here.