Minister Murphy publishes new Homeless Quarterly Progress Report and July Report on homelessness

Mr. Eoghan Murphy T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, today (2 September 2019) published the first in a new series of Homeless Quarterly Progress Reports, alongside the monthly Homelessness Report for July 2019.

July Update

the monthly report for July shows that there were a total of 10,275 individuals in emergency accommodation, including 6,497 adults, 1,721 families and 3,778 dependants
this represents an increase of 103 on the numbers in emergency accommodation from the June report
in July, in Dublin, 221 families were deemed as being homeless. 97 families were found a home immediately and 116 families exited emergency accommodation

Commenting on the July figures, the Minister stated: “We continue to do everything we can to get people out of homelessness but the increase in July shows that this remains a huge challenge. There are fewer families and children in emergency accommodation today than this time last year. Of course there shouldn’t be any, but the fact that there are less, despite continuing high levels of presentations each month, speaks to the huge response from NGO’s, the DRHE, local authorities and the Government. I want to thank them for their dedication in helping people in such a crisis.”

Homeless Quarterly Progress Report, Q2 2019

This is the first in a series of new Homeless Quarterly Progress Reports and as such covers the first six months of 2019. These reports will now be published every quarter providing greater detail on what is being achieved by relevant stakeholders in tackling homelessness, with a view to better understanding trends and informing policy developments.

In the first six months of 2019:

2,825 adults and their dependants exited homelessness into homes
in Dublin, where the crisis is greatest, 467 families exited emergency accommodation into a home
in Dublin, for every two families that presented to homelessness services, one was found a home immediately
Housing First continues to be rolled out, with 317 adults housed in Dublin by the end of June 2019, of which 88% have successfully retained housing

Commenting on the Quarterly Report, Minister Murphy said: “The purpose of these new quarterly progress reports is to give greater detail on what is happening in homelessness so that we can better understand trends and make better policy decisions as a result. These new reports will also demonstrate the incredible work being done every week and month to find people new homes. Presentations to homeless services continue for a number of reasons, but despite this preventions and exits are increasing and are having an impact.