Homelessness and housing charity Galway Simon Community has warned that it is highly concerned that the number of families and children homeless across the West of Ireland is continuing to spiral upwards. The charity attributes the continuing rise to multiple factors which are culminating into what can best be described as ‘a terrible perfect storm.’
The latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government reveal there were 95 families including 209 children living in Emergency Accommodation across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon in September, an increase of 39% on the previous year.
This is a record high figure of families homeless in the West of Ireland. With rental prices continuing to escalate and the number of landlords leaving the market increasing, compounded by a record low availability of affordable accommodation, Galway Simon are very concerned about the coming Winter.
According to the latest Daft.ie Rental Report, rents have continued to surge upwards in the first half of the year 2022 with rents in Connacht-Ulster now 15% higher than a year ago. Average rents showed a further increase on the last quarter, with average rents now standing at €1,663 in Galway City and €1,184 in County Galway. They also reported the lowest supply on record since 2006 in Connacht/Ulster, with just 110 homes available to rent on the 1st August 2022.
Karen Golden, CEO Galway Simon Community said the increasing cost of rent and the lack of availability of affordable accommodation are the main factors driving individuals and families into homelessness.
“Supporting people to source affordable rented accommodation is an important part of the work that we do in Galway Simon Community which helps to prevent individuals and families from entering into emergency accommodation, as well as helping people to move on from homeless services into independent accommodation.
“However, sourcing affordable accommodation has become “increasingly difficult”. Our team are doing all we can to support people and we are really concerned about the coming Winter. With people already unable to access affordable accommodation, rising fuel and food poverty is further compounding an already critical situation,” she said.
Although the Government initiatives announced in budget 2023 were welcome, the charity remains deeply concerned that more needs to be done to stem the number of families facing the trauma of homelessness in the West this Winter.
“The measures implemented will bridge a gap and the proposed eviction ban will help to safeguard people in the coming months but while the moratorium is in place we should look to implement actions that will have a positive long-term impact on addressing homelessness.
“We are calling for immediate action to bring 5,000 vacant properties back into use, through the Repair and Lease Scheme for people in homelessness and on the social housing waiting list. We also propose increased funding towards homeless prevention and reform of HAP rates.
“The government also need to work with landlords to see how they can be encouraged to stay in the private rental market. We have people coming to us for help, who would never have thought they would need to avail of our services but are now living in fear of becoming homeless,” concluded Ms Golden.
To the end of September 2022 Galway Simon supported 1,222 individuals including 802 adults and 420 children.
