A third of newly homeless families were evicted
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One third of the families who newly presented as homeless in the third quarter of this year did so because they were being evicted.
Figures from the Department of Housing show 146 families newly entered homeless accommodation in July, August and September this year as a result of a notice of termination, which was the single highest reason cited.
A further 131 families were made homeless as a result of family circumstance or a relationship breakdown, according to the figures.
The department published this data alongside its latest homeless figures, which showed a record number of children homeless in Ireland, at its highest ever figure of 3,904. A further 8,923 adults in emergency accommodation brought the total number of homeless people in Ireland to 12,847.
The statistics on those made homeless as a result of an eviction notice come following the lifting of the no-fault eviction ban by the Government earlier this year.
Critics had said lifting this ban would have a detrimental effect on families at risk of homelessness, but the Government has so far refused calls to reintroduce it.
The figures show that, in the year to the end of September, 2,264 families in Ireland presented as homeless. Of these, 984 of them were prevented from having to enter emergency accommodation, which meant a net number of new families entering such accommodation of 1,280. A further 661 families have left emergency accommodation in the year to date.
Furthermore, the number of families homeless in Ireland has risen 18.2% in the last year, while the number of people overall is up 16.8%.
For single adults, a relationship breakdown or family circumstance (428 people) is the most common reason for entering emergency accommodation while a further 326 adults were made homeless in the third quarter of the year as a result of an eviction notice.
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said that, despite the high numbers of people presenting as homeless due to an eviction, the actual number of people being made homeless due to an eviction may be even higher than the statistics suggest.
He said it was often the case that people who have been evicted go to stay with friends and family initially, and then that relationship may break down and result in them presenting as homeless to their local authority.
“There’s a strong argument to say the figures as they are presented unintentionally kind of hide the real extent of the notice of termination on homeless presentations,” he said.
"More significantly, exits out of emergency accommodation remain far too low.”
After the delivery of Budget 2024 in October, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien was asked if he was confident the investment planned by the Government in social housing would help to arrest the ever rising numbers of people in emergency accommodation.
Mr O'Brien said it was the “single biggest priority” and his “absolute desire”.
In a statement following the publication of this latest data, he said: “As we can see in our Quarter 3 report, we have significantly increased the numbers of people prevented from entering into emergency accommodation and exits from emergency accommodation are also increasing.
“However, the situation is very challenging and tackling this issue is a Government priority,” he added, before delving into the latest housing figures showing more new homes built so far this year than last and the pipeline of social homes.