Recently, a new record high in homelessness was reported with 14,760 individuals, incorporating 4,561 minors hailing from 2,133 family units, according to the most recent data. This concerning report was published on Friday by the Department of Housing. It shows for the week spanning September 23rd to September 29th, 10,199 grown-ups, of which 6,681 were residing solo and without offspring, were utilising emergency shelter.
This presented a significant 15 percent surge in poverty over a single year and a 17 percent escalation in juvenile homelessness since September 2023. Back then, there were 12,827 homeless persons which included 3,904 underaged ones from 1,892 family units. The preceding month of August had seen 14,486 homeless individuals with 4,419 of them being children. Out of the 10,067 adult individuals, 6,602 were leading a single life.
Regarding the age dispersion in adults dealing with homelessness last month, over half (53 percent) were between 25 and 44 years of age. Close to a third (28 percent) made up the 45 to 64 bracket, while those aged between 18 to 25 formed 17 percent, and 2 percent were over 64.
In terms of nationality, slightly more than half of the adults were of Irish descent (53 percent), with UK or European Economic Area (EEA) natives accounting for 22 percent, and the remaining 25 percent hailing from nations outside the EEA. A different picture was painted in Dublin where the largest homeless population was located. Here, the majority of adults were of foreign origin, with the Irish making up 45 percent, UK or EEA natives 25 percent, and the rest (30 percent) from countries outside of the EEA.
Last month, in Dublin, emergency living quarters were being occupied by 10,701 individuals, including 3,388 young ones belonging to 1,499 family setups. This was slightly higher than the figures from August, which stood at 10,481 persons, consisting of 3,273 underaged ones from 1,467 family arrangements.
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