Dublin Simon Community – Rough Sleeper Count – Winter 2019
The release of the latest Winter Rough Sleeper Count revealed a figure of 92 people sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin on the night of 26th November and early morning hours of 27th November. This compares to a figure of 156 in the previous year’s count.
Dublin Simon Community delivers the Dublin Outreach Service in partnership with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and work directly with those affected on a daily basis. We also engage with the Housing First programme which targets people sleeping rough to move them into permanent housing.
Senior Manager of Emergency at Dublin Simon Community, Claire McSweeney, said: “The provision of bed spaces is a key factor in reducing the number of people sleeping on the streets. It is vital that we keep the pressure on to ensure that the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness are supported, particularly during the cold winter months. When a person is on the streets, deterioration in their physical and mental health can be rapid and debilitating and early intervention is a key factor in helping the people we work with.”
Sam McGuinness, CEO of Dublin Simon Community said: “A reduction in numbers on the streets is welcome and demonstrates the impact of teamwork and additional provision of bed spaces within the system. Continued intensity is needed to respond to people sleeping rough in the weeks ahead and over the winter period. We are committed to doing everything possible to continue to reduce the number of people rough sleeping in partnership with the DRHE, Housing First and local authorities.”
Over the last 18 months Dublin Simon Community has supported more than 3,500 people move from homeless into homes through intervention programmes. By Christmas, just over 1,000 men, women and children will be supported in Dublin Simon Community housing.
ENDS
Donate to Dublin Simon Community at www.dubsimon.ie or call (01) 671-5551
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