Homelessness in Ireland
By Béline Chan
I find it difficult to fathom how thousands of Irish people are currently sleeping on the street, or are moving from hostel to hostel, without any domestic stability. They have been stripped of their basic human needs of shelter, food and company. The issue is only getting worse as the numbers of homeless people are rising each year, as well as the rate of homeless deaths. According to the Peter McVerry Trust and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in 2022 alone, there have been over 11,000 people who have tried to gain emergency accommodation in Ireland, and it is important to note that this figure excludes those who are sleeping on the streets and couch surfing. Average rent in Ireland has increased by more than 82% over the past 12 years, compared to the rest of the EU with the average of 18%. According to the Simon Communities in Ireland, in January of last year, the large figure of homeless people was comprised of 1,119 families, 4,788 single adults and 2,563 children. Ireland currently has the highest rate of homeless people since records dating to 2014, and family homelessness has doubled. With the rising cost of products and rent due to inflation, there are simply many families that cannot withstand the cost of living. Families and individuals of any age are left to live on the streets or hop from one unstable and temporary home to another. They are left to struggle on the streets or sleep in various hostels, hotels and Airbnb’s, where they have no stability or guaranteed safety.
Aside from the financial aspect to homelessness, there are many other factors which can significantly alter someone’s domestic circumstances, these factors include:
• Domestic abuse.
• Drug abuse.
• Alcohol addiction.
• Relationship separation.
• Lack of employment.
• Discrimination and immigration.
• Severe mental health issues.
Homeless people can often face a poor support system, as they have no support from their relatives, they lack aid from the government, and Ireland has a struggling mental health support sector. The pandemic also created difficulty as organisations were not able to run as smoothly and homelessness was rising furthermore. To lessen their struggles, those experiencing homelessness can avail of the HAP (The Housing Assistance Payment) if they meet the requirements. This aids those who are struggling with housing stability, and according to HAP, they are a social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. The issue is that due to the lack of affordable rental homes, and the declining numbers of landlords accepting those with HAP, there is no place for the homeless to go, and those who already have HAP and that are in rental homes, are unable to leave, as there is no stable and longer-term option available for them. There are many known cases of those being discriminated against due to their HAP status, where landlords must pay the victims thousands of euros to compensate. Last year for example, a tenant was paid 10,000 euros as he was refused HAP because of his landlord and had therefore been discriminated against under the Equal Acts Statement. According to Daft.ie, rent has gone up by over 14% in comparison to 2021. Gas bills have also risen by over 30% in the last year, not even including energy bills and the cost of food and petrol. According to Eurostat, Irish electricity bills are the fourth most expensive in Europe. For families with stable incomes and homes this has proven a struggle to maintain. So, imagine the situation of those who are homeless, and how difficult it is to get out of the cycle.
There are many ways in which you can help those who are homeless and struggling with domestic stability.
• Many charities and homeless organisations have food banks where you can donate pre-made food (i.e., packaged food from supermarkets, canned foods etc) and you can also make freshly cooked meals, bakes and beverages.
• You can donate items to charity, such as clothing, sleeping bags and toiletries.
• Fundraising is a great way to financially aid charities and organisations, which in turn helps the homeless get a better chance at finding shelter and having meals and clothing.
• You can also donate money to charities, it does not even have to be a large amount, any donation is welcome, appreciated and is helping an important cause.
• Volunteering at charities and homeless organisations such as food banks is a great way to get firsthand experience in helping those in need. I had a great experience volunteering for the Homeless Drive in Cork, where a team of volunteers hand out clothing, essentials and a wide variety of packaged and fresh meals and beverages to the homeless. I highly recommend
volunteering as it is a very effective way to make a change and you get to see that change first hand.
• Even if you do not have the time or the funds to help charities, everyone can spread the word by educating each other on how serious the homelessness situation is in Ireland, and by letting others know of the charities available and what they can do to help.
The homeless face a lot of issues due to their domestic situation, issues ranging from:
• No shelter from severe weather conditions, especially during the winter months. •Lack of safety as they are a target of violence and discrimination.
• Lack of sanitary and health resources, which makes them more susceptible to illnesses. •Malnutrition.
• Turning to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism for their situation.
From my experience with volunteering for the homeless, it is not just those who are sleeping on the streets that are in need of shelter and the basic human necessities such as food and a support system, but also young children, young adults and students. The cost of living has increased to the point where students cannot afford student accommodation and the cost of meals. Many families are struggling, including those with young children and pets, as well as young adults who face serious drug and mental health issues. Provisional figures to date in 2022 highlight that An Garda Síochána has received in excess of 49,250 domestic abuse reports with at least a 9% increase since last year. According to Drink.Aware.ie 1 in 4 drinkers now engage in binge drinking whenever they drink, and it is the third year in a row that over half of Irish adults’ drink alcohol on at least a weekly basis. With the rise in alcohol, domestic violence and rent, these factors contribute to the rise in homelessness in Ireland.
Ideally, the government themselves should take some financial action to help those who are homeless and those facing domestic instabilities, and they should be prioritising the homeless and vulnerable, but is it realistic that there will be a significant change? It happens too often where matters are taken seriously only after the issue has gotten dire and serious harm is done. How long do we have to wait for those in power to make changes that will benefit the people? If the cost of living keeps rising, then how can the rate of homelessness decrease? A positive outlook is that with the growing the aid of volunteers, charities and organisations, we are making as much of a difference as we currently can to
those who are homeless. The effort does not stop here, as we should strive to bring down the numbers of homeless people and create a better support system for those in need.
Here are some helpful links to some organisations that help with homelessness in Ireland.
https://homelessnessinireland.ie/ : Homelessness in Ireland is an educational online resource on homelessness in Ireland. It is created and delivered by the national housing and homelessness charity, Peter McVerry Trust. Here, you can find personal stories from those who experienced homelessness, advice tips, information on homelessness and much more.
https://ie.depaulcharity.org/ : Depaul is a charity that provides resources and support to those who are homeless, including beds and accommodation.
https://www.focusireland.ie/ : Focus Ireland is a voluntary organisation that provides resources and support to the homeless and aids in preventing those in danger of homelessness.
https://www.simon.ie/understanding-homelessness/ : The Simon Communities of Ireland are a network of independent communities that aid the homeless by providing housing and treatment services, information and advice to those in need.
Other helpful resources:
https://www.drugs.ie/
https://www.drinkaware.ie/
https://www.youth.ie/advocacy-and-representation/youth-homelessness/