24/09/2012

Charity Report Shows Increase In Demand For Emergency Housing

Ten extra people are seeking emergency accommodation every day in Dublin, according to the Simon Community.

The charity's annual report for last year shows that 1,500 people are in such accommodation in the greater Dublin area.

Simon Community Chief Executive Sam McGuinness said that the perception of homelessness is changing because of the severe financial pressure in which people are finding themselves saying that people now realise that homelessness was something that could happen to anyone.

Mr McGuinness said it was imperative that the Simon Community provides suitable "move on" housing options to prevent people from being "stacked up" in emergency accommodation simply because there is nowhere else for them to go.

He said: "People who are homeless need to re-build a sustainable future for themselves and regain their self-worth and self-esteem by having access to the best possible services and supports."

The charity helped 2,663 people last year compared to 2,532 in 2010.

It said that its 20-bed shelter on Island Street operated beyond capacity for ten months last year.

The 30-bed shelter on Harcourt Street operated beyond capacity for over half of the year.

The majority of people staying at both shelters are Irish men under the age of 50.

(H)


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