Multiple Dublin-based charities have warned that there will be high numbers of homeless deaths unless the extra beds promised under Dublin Regional Homeless Executive’s winter initiative are rolled out.
Already, in October, most Dublin homeless hostels and centers are full and a lot of those living on the Dublin streets are being redirected to Wicklow, Kildare and Meath. With the highest numbers of homelessness in this country as of yet, steps need to be taken in order to protect those living on the streets.
As of now, those huddled in laneways and doorways, covered in makeshift cardboard shelters and sleeping bags will be fighting off the cold from overnight temperatures which will drop as low as zero.
Tony Walsh of Feed Our Homeless has claimed the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive’s winter initiative should have begun two weeks ago, but there are still no extra beds in the system. He has said:
“Over the last four to five weeks there have been numerous nights with no beds available…. We’re out every night and came across a homeless guy who was just 20, hadn't a clue where he was going or what to do. We rang the freephone number for a bed and there was none. It was lashing rain”.
With temperatures dropping already, and planning on dropping further, if there is no emergency accommodation those on the street will have to sleep in the wet and cold temperatures that are common in Irish winters.
“It’s freezing cold and you have people sleeping on the streets with bits of cardboard over them. The hostels are bursting at the seams, all the hotels are full”
We are currently in one of the worst cost of living crises in the state. Couple that with the rental crisis and we are only going to see more and more lose their homes and end up homeless.
There needs to be action taken. The latest Government figures show there are now a record 10,805 people homeless across Ireland. This figure is only rising.
The Department of Housing’s report has shown that child homelessness has jumped by 47 per cent compared with the same period last year while overall there has been a 32 per cent rise in homelessness in just 12 months.
A total of 115 homeless people died in Dublin last year - more than double the number of homeless people who died in 2019.
Since 2018, 287 homeless people have died on Dublin’s streets.
People Before Profit brought a bill to the Dail calling for an immediate eviction ban for the duration of the housing emergency. It will come into effect on the 1st of November, lasting until April, until which time it will be “phased out”. Although a step in the right direction, this does not help those already given notice of eviction, those already living on the streets and ultimately we will more than likely face a large increase in homelessness in April 2023.
Sister Stan Kennedy has claimed that the figure for homelessness is likely closer to 14,000 if rough sleepers, couch surfers, and those in shelters and inadequate accommodation are included.
“We’re looking at a tsunami of homelessness due to all the evictions. Over 30,000 tenants have been given notice and there are no properties there to rent…. We’re going to see the streets fill up. My real fear is we will see deaths”.
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Written by Molly Hunt, 20th of October 2022
