Homeless up by 55% in Census

Boher Church lit up as part of the Festival of Light dedicated to the memory of the crew of the Search and Rescue helicopter (R116) which was lost off the coast of Mayo earlier in the year. THE number of people recorded as homeless in the north east during Census 2016 increased by 55% according to the latest figures released by the CSO this week.

There were 153 people found to be homeless on the night, compared to 84 accounted for in the last census of 2011.

The inclusion of homelessness figures was done on a regional basis, in line with task forces that have been set up in designated regions across the country.

Homeless persons were identified based on where they were on Census night rather than by self-identification.

The latest report showed that the 153 people classed as homeless were across Louth, Cavan and Monaghan, with Louth County Council acting as the lead agency.

The census indicated that there were almost twice as many men who were homeless than women. In the north east there were 100 men and 53 women.

Overall, the figures indicated that the homeless population tended to be younger than the general population.

The average age of a homeless person was 30.5 years compared to the higher 37.4 average age for the general population. The average age for females was 26.8 years compared with the higher 33.2 years for males. This contrasted with the general population where the average female age was 38.0 years compared with the lower average age of 36.7 years for males.

Meanwhile, Louth TD Gerry Adams Sinn Féin said that the homelessness figures were ‘a deeply worrying pattern of increasing numbers of people living in emergency accommodation, with little or no progress made in addressing the worsening crisis.’

‘ The north east region figures show 14 families recorded as homeless. It is simply unacceptable that this is continuing. Homeless services are facing unprecedented demand for assistance.’

He added:’It is essential that the government changes direction by introducing effective rent controls, increasing capital funding to local authorities to build social housing, and ensuring improved security of tenure.’