The number of families and children experiencing homelessness in Dublin has increased significantly since 1999, a new report to be published today reveals.
The annual report of the Dublin Simon Community also shows that not one homeless person helped by the charity last year was housed by a Dublin local authority. The report says that the number of homeless families is up almost 20 per cent to 640 in the last five years, while the number of children homeless increased by 15 per cent to 1,140.
These increases come despite a Government programme, Homelessness: An Integrated Strategy, launched in May 2000 and aimed at setting out a "comprehensive national approach" to solving the problem by the end of last year.
The report also shows that over a third (34 per cent) using the charity's homeless shelter are aged under 35, and 37 per cent aged between 35 and 44. Only 28 per cent of residents are now aged 45 years or older.
Almost half (40 per cent) of those homeless people in contact with the charity have mental health problems, ranging from depression to severe psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia.
Some 42 per cent of those in contact with the outreach teams last year said an addiction was the main reason they had become homeless.
Over 400 homeless people used Simon's 24-hour shelter last year, and while almost half (194) were considered ready to move to long-term housing, only 30 per cent (58) managed to secure accommodation.
The highest proportion, however, at 19 people, went into long-term hostel accommodation. Eleven found accommodation in transitional housing projects, 10 in the private rented sector, nine in Dublin Simon housing, two in social access housing and seven in "other".
Although the proportion of shelter residents who were also registered with one of the four Dublin local authorities had almost doubled - from 34 per cent in 2002 to 60 per cent last year - not one secured local authority housing last year.
Dublin Simon chief executive officer, Mr Greg Maxwell, said that over half of those who are homeless are single.
"Yet official policy obstructs the provision of public housing for this vulnerable group. For many years it has been inordinately difficult for a single person who is homeless to get council housing. Now it is impossible."
Problems accessing public housing, coupled with restrictions on rent allowance introduced by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, earlier this year, meant official policy "curtails rather than assists homeless people to move into long-term rented accommodation," said Mr Maxwell.
The charity is calling on local authorities to start building accommodation for single people. It also demands a referendum on the right to housing.
