There’s been a 79% increase in the number of homeless people in Clare in the past year.
The latest figures from the Department of Housing shows the level of homelessness here is continuing to rise year-on-year, while there has also been an increase in numbers between April and May.
There are now 77 people without a permanent home in Clare, a rise of 6% on April and a 79% increase on May last year.
They’re among 386 people in the midwest living in emergency accommodation in hotels, hostels or B&Bs.
The vast majority are male, with the highest numbers aged between 25 and 44, while there are 10 people aged over 65 – a fall of 1 over the course of a month.
The latest figures from the Department of Housing also shows the number of homeless children in Clare and Limerick has risen to 141 last month, representing a jump of 38% on May 2017, and an 11% increase on April this year.
The figures mirror what’s happening nationally and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy says while it’s disappointing, the figures do show the number of people becoming homeless is starting to stabilize.
It comes a housing summit, which will be chaired by the Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy, is taking place in Dublin today.
The event will also be attended by the Chief Executives of Clare County Council and the 30 other local authorities.
While the Simon Communities are welcoming the idea, their National Spokesperson Niamh Randall says they’re anxious to see actual results.
