A further 26 people became homeless in October according to the latest figures released by the Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy.

The October Homelessness Report, published by the Department for Housing, Planning & Local Government. The report, based on data provided by housing authorities, captures details of individuals accessing State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities.

The latest monthly figures include:

• The number of persons accessing emergency accommodation nationally increased by 26 individuals;

• There was a decrease in the number of families accessing emergency accommodation nationally, with 44 less families in emergency accommodation, including 104 less dependants; 

• For the third consecutive month the number of families presenting to homeless services in Dublin, where the challenge of homeless remains the most difficult, has decreased;

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• 112 families were prevented from entering emergency accommodation in Dublin during the month of October;

• 70 families exited emergency accommodation in Dublin during the month of October.

Commenting on the figures, Minister Murphy said: "There are still too many families and children experiencing this crisis but it’s certainly a positive to see that the number of families in emergency accommodation reduced by 44 in October, including 104 dependants.

"For a third consecutive month we have seen a fall in the numbers of families presenting to homeless services in the Dublin region, which is welcome. We also saw more than one hundred families prevented from entering emergency accommodation last month, thanks to dedicated initiatives like the HAP Place-finders. A further 70 families exited emergency accommodation.

"This is important progress for these families but we still continue to face a serious challenge and we have to do more. Additional funding for family hubs and more social housing will help, and I continue to engage with the chief executives in the four Dublin local authorities to increase the number of successful outcomes in terms of preventing homelessness and moving families out of hotels."

The Minister continued: "The overall increase in people in emergency accommodation can partly be explained by new beds being provided to help take people from rough sleeping and in to our supported services. While it is of course better to see people in emergency accommodation rather than out on the streets, we continue to see an increase in the number of adults seeking help. This underlines the importance of the continued roll-out of Housing First, as well as additional supports for single homelessness."

(MH)