Marginal Drop In National Homelessness Figures

The number of people living in emergency accommodation has dropped slightly during the month of February.

Last month there were 11,742 people, including 3,373 children, in emergency accommodation, representing a drop of 12 people on the January figures.

Responding to the figures, Sinn Féin representative Eoin Ó Broin TD said this shows how the ban on no fault evictions was working. 

Teachta Ó Broin said: "The ban on no-fault evictions resulted in a further decline in family presentations last month with 10 fewer families and 58 fewer children in emergency accommodation.


"However the figures also show an increase of 66 single people and 13 pensioners in emergency accommodation in February.

"There is also a worrying increase in overall homeless levels in Dublin.

"What these figures show is that the ban on no fault evictions was having a positive impact, stabilising the number of people in emergency accommodation.

"Despite this, the government is determined to end this crucial protection for renters today. 

"Thousands of households are now at risk of losing the roof over their heads and the government still cannot answer one simple question - where are people to go?

"The decision to end the eviction ban is appalling, particularly in the absence of having a plan in place. This is why we need a temporary extension. 

"The coming days and weeks will be a time of huge uncertainty and stress for people who live in the rental sector. There are a growing number of working families, single people and pensioners contacting our offices because they have nowhere to go.

"If the government wants to stop the inevitable rise in homelessness from tomorrow, it must reverse its decision to end the eviction ban."