The number of people homeless in Ireland continues to increase. The Department of Housing released the April Homeless Report today which shows that there are now 12,259 people availing of Homelessness supports. County Tipperary records an increase; there are now 53 people in emergency accommodation in the county up from 39 in March. County Limerick reports a slight decrease of 4 persons. 336 people in the county are now in emergency accommodation. This means such people are accommodated in facilities provided by Councils across the country such as hotels, B&Bs and council owned/leased accommodation. The figure does not include people sleeping rough, sleeping in cars, in tents outdoors or living in overcrowded conditions.
The April Report shows that nationally the number of adults availing of emergency accommodation is 8,665 up from 8,516 in March. The number of children homeless has also increased from 3,472 in March to 3,594 in April.
The supply of housing is on the increase however housing advocacy groups and opposition parties had wanted the Government to retain the ban on no fault evictions until the numbers currently homeless had reduced. The ban was lifted on April 1st . This is the first time that the number of homeless people availing of supports has been higher than 12,000.
