Latest figures show people rough sleeping in Dublin has remained substantially high

LATEST FIGURES SHOW PEOPLE ROUGH SLEEPING IN DUBLIN HAS REMAINED SUBSTANTIALLY HIGH OVER THE PAST YEAR

Dublin Simon Community says despite the provision of almost 471 emergency beds in the past 12 months, 152 people still are without a bed

In reaction to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive official figures from the Winter (30/11/15) count of rough sleeping, Dublin Simon Community today (10/12/15) said that the numbers of people sleeping rough across the Dublin region has remained shamefully high over the past year, despite interventions.

In reaction to the figures, Sam McGuinness on behalf of Dublin Simon Community said:

“On the night of the count, 91 people were identified as sleeping rough with an additional 61 people in the Night café. As we look into Christmas, and a long harsh winter, 152 people without a bed and shelter is unacceptable and shameful.

“It must be emphasised that this is an absolute minimum number, as it does not account for the hidden homeless – people who are couch surfing, sleeping in internet cafés, temporary B&Bs and hospitals.

“This is a phenomenal figure considering an additional 471 emergency beds have been provided for rough sleepers in the past 12 months. If we look back to this time last year, 168 people were identified on the Winter official count, when the Night Café wasn’t in existence.”

With 14 Days to Christmas we need a political promise of additional beds. What people need this Christmas, and every day, is stability, safety and support.”

Sam McGuinness continued to say that there is no tangible solution to the current homeless and housing crisis.

“This crisis has now been pushed past breaking point. There are no places left in hotels, guesthouses and emergency units, with an increasing number of people, families and children facing a future of uncertainty and fear. This fast moving tide will continue to increase in speed unless immediate action is taken.”

“With now over 2,330 adults and over 1,475 children are trapped in a cycle of emergency accommodation in the Dublin region alone, with no prospect of any permanent housing, more than 3,800 adults and children are facing the insecurity of being without a home this Christmas.”

Sam McGuinness continued:

“We urgently need to move away from an emergency led response as we cannot keep offering people short term solutions that have now become long term. With promises of their pledge to end long term homelessness by 2016 long forgotten, the Government are demonstrating a complete lack of vision on how to solve this current crisis. The extra beds initiative has fed into the bottle neck of emergency bed provision, adding to the emergency figures which have been steadily increasing since last year.”