Press release
June 2023 Monthly Homeless Report and Homeless Quarterly Progress Report Quarter 2 2023 published
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
- 12,600 recorded accessing emergency accommodation in June – a 1.3% increase on previous month
- of the many complex reasons for people presenting as homeless the two most common reasons given in Q2 were relationship breakdown / family circumstance (28.2%) and Notice of Termination (28.8%)
- Q2 2023 saw an 8% increase in number of adults, and their dependants, who exited, or were prevented, from entering emergency accommodation on Q1 2023
- 923 high-support need individuals (formerly rough sleepers or long-term users of emergency accommodation) are being housed and supported through the Housing First Scheme
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has today (28 July 2023) published the Monthly Homeless Report for June 2023 and the Homeless Quarterly Progress Report for Quarter 2 2023.
The Monthly Homeless Report for June 2023 shows that 12,600 individuals were accessing emergency accommodation, an increase of 159 (1.3%) on the May 2023 total. There were 5,880 single adults and 1,804 families accessing emergency accommodation in the month, including 3,765 children (under-18).
The report shows that during Q2 2023, a total of 1,572 adults, and their dependants, exited, or were prevented from entering emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created. This represents an increase of 8% on Quarter 1 2023.
The Quarterly Progress report also shows the number of new families presenting to homeless services and the numbers entering and exiting emergency accommodation on a national basis.
Nationally, family presentations increased 24.5% on Q1 (from 669 to 833). Of the 833 families presenting, 352 (42%) of these families were prevented from having to enter emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy having been created. 207 families exited emergency accommodation into a tenancy in the quarter, a 3.7% decrease on the 215 families who exited homelessness in Q1.
The Quarterly Report also shows that 44.7% of single households accessing emergency accommodation on the last night of the quarter have been in emergency accommodation for less than 6 months (2,552 of 5,715 single households).
The report also shows progress in implementing the Housing First National Implementation Plan 2022-2026, a key response to ending long-term homelessness among those with complex health and mental health needs. The Housing First Programme provides the most vulnerable of our homeless population with a home for life as well as with key wraparound health and social supports.
A total of 64 new supported tenancies commenced in Q2 2023. Through the programme, there are 923 high-support need individuals, who were formerly rough sleepers or long-term users of emergency accommodation, housed and supported in their own homes.
Commenting on the reports published today, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, said:
“Unfortunately we have seen an increase in the numbers of people in emergency accommodation. The situation is very challenging but the government, local authorities and those in our NGO sectors are working together and making every effort to reduce homelessness. Tackling this issue is a Government priority.
“We know that increasing the supply of new homes, particularly social and affordable homes, is key to tackling homelessness. CSO figures published on Wednesday show 14,017 homes were completed in the first six months of 2023, a 5.8% increase on the same period in 2022 and the highest number of completions recorded for the first half of any year since the CSO data series began in 2011. Commencement figures, published by my department last week show a record 15,561 new homes commenced construction in the first six months of 2023 – the highest number since that data series began in 2015. So we know that supply is increasing and we are going in the right direction.
“Last week, I launched the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme (STAR). The Scheme aims to invest up to €750m in the delivery of over 4,000 Cost Rental homes which will benefit from secure tenancies. I also recently announced extra measures to get even more homes built and quicker, including scrapping development levies to stimulate more building activity. These measures will further boost supply. Last year we delivered a record number of social homes – the highest number since 1975. All of this will help provide more housing solutions, including for those who are at risk of homelessness.
“Resources and funding for tackling homelessness are not an obstacle to the urgent work required to combat homelessness. Budget 2023 provided funding of over €215 million, an increase of 10% on last year, for the delivery of homeless services. This is ensuring that local authorities can not only provide emergency accommodation but also and crucially homeless prevention measures. It will also ensure they can support households to successfully exit homelessness into secure tenancies.
“In addition to our focus on increasing supply, I introduced a number of measures to help those at risk of homelessness following the phasing out of the Winter Eviction Moratorium. These include introducing 1,000 additional targeted leasing units, securing at least 1,500 tenant in situ purchases in 2023 and expanding emergency accommodation by adding 2,000 new beds.”
The Quarterly Progress Report is prepared by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, based on quarterly performance reports submitted by the nine regional lead authorities responsible for the administration of homeless services at local level.
Children have been clearly enumerated in the monthly homeless statistics since July 2021 so comparisons with previously published data must be qualified, given that they are not directly comparable.