The number of people sleeping rough in Dublin has increased.
The figures are up 14% on last year.
134 people were sleeping rough when the official winter count was carried out in the Dublin region over the week of November 4th to 10th.
The majority of those recorded as sleeping outside were men, Irish and aged between 26 and 45.
43% were using tents, 12 were couples and 19 had accessed emergency accommodation at some stage during the count week.
Dublin Simon Community says it's alarmed by the 14% rise in the rough sleeper numbers and says it highlights the urgent need for immediate action.
Alarming
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community says: "We are alarmed by the rise in rough sleeping numbers in Dublin over the last twelve months.
"This is particularly concerning given the extremely cold conditions across the country and the multi-hazard weather event expected over the weekend and into next week.
"Combined with the thousands in emergency accommodation in the capital alone, the growing number of people without a place to call home represents a crisis that is only getting worse. These figures are more than just numbers—they are people forced to endure unimaginable hardship, particularly in the coldest months of the year.
"The rough sleeper count, while an important exercise in understanding the scope of homelessness in Dublin, does not encompass the entirety of the issue.
"The Dublin Simon Outreach team engages with people who are sleeping rough 365 days a year. The team works around the clock to support those sleeping on the streets.
"It can take several intensive engagements by the Outreach team with people who are rough sleeping to support them into emergency accommodation, but in the vast majority of cases the team are successful in doing so within a short time frame.
"Deeply Troubling"
"Rough sleeping will remain a serious problem due to the lack of access to housing to help support people to exit homelessness. Dublin Simon is calling for a commitment from the government to invest in preventative measures, to fast-track building social and affordable housing, and to recognise the need for tailored supports that directly meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness.
"The number of people rough sleeping is deeply troubling on its own, but this is just the visible tip of a much larger crisis,” Kenny said. “We cannot allow these numbers to be viewed in isolation. There is an urgent need for systemic change to address the growing number of people without a place to call home.”
"Sleeping out on the street comes with serious health and safety risks. The Dublin Simon Outreach team will continue to engage with individuals by identifying their specific needs, referring them to wraparound services and advocating on their behalf with partners across the sector.”
"If you see someone bedded down who may need support, our Outreach team is out on the streets of Dublin city and county 365 days of the year from 7am – 1am Monday – Friday and 9am – 1am Saturday – Sunday, and can be contacted via the Dublin Rough Sleeper app."
