More than 300 adults are officially homeless in Galway according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, but the real figure could be higher a local election candidate has warned.
On Tuesday, the Department released its monthly report on the number of homeless people in the State. The figures show that, as of March 2019, there are 309 homeless adults in Galway, the highest level of homelessness after Dublin and Cork.
However People Before Profit Galway City Central candidate Joe Loughnane said these figures probably did not reflect the full extent of homelessness in the city. He said the report only covered those living in emergency accommodation, and did not take into account people sleeping rough, or the 'hidden homeless' living on couches.
"Homelessness is becoming normalised in this country and in our city," said Mr Loughnane. "We can't let that happen. There should be widespread shock and outrage at the figures. One person without a home is a person too many, but these numbers are multiples of what they were even a couple of years ago. The Government must be put under intense pressure to take immediate, meaningful action to address this unprecedented housing and homelessness crisis."
