Three families a day have become homeless here in Dublin since the start of the year.
That’s according to Focus Ireland, who say the numbers living in emergency accommodation are at record levels.
Focus Ireland says that 74 families became homeless in Dublin last month – that’s 366 losing their homes since the start of the year.
Over 880 families are now living in hotels and B&B’s around the city with 1786 children.
Mike Allen is head of advocacy with the charity, he says they’ve had to start using measures to help those who can’t find somewhere to stay:
“On a more regular basis, over time we’re beginning to have to trigger those fail safe devices. You have a family put into the lowest, the most emergency form of accommodation at one o’clock the other night. Once that place is full, what do we do if there’s another family found”.
He added that there are a number of actions the new Housing Minister Simon Coveney could take to try and ease the crisis:
“Something needs to be done on rent, rents are still running away and they’re still beyond what people can afford. He could do something to give greater rights of tenancy where a landlord is selling up”.
The figures come as the group representing landlords and officials from the Department of Social Protection will appear before the Dail’s committee on housing and homelessness tomorrow.
