Official homeless figures rise by over 17% in Kilkenny

The number of people accessing emergency accommodation in Kilkenny recently jumped from 34 to 40, according to the Department of Housing.

This latest increase was recorded during the last full week of March, when the ban on evictions was still in place.

Concern over possible 'sinkhole' in housing estate in Kilkenny

This has prompted widespread concern that the local homelessness figure will soar in future months, as eviction notices that had been stalled are enforced.

Some 132 eviction notices were issued to tenants in Kilkenny in the final six months of last year, according to figures from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

Following the lifting of the eviction ban, some of these notices to quit would have started to fall due in April, with many more falling due over the coming weeks and months.

Local Sinn Féin TD Kathleen Funchion said that the decision to end the ban ‘will plunge people into homelessness in Kilkenny’.

“There is no doubt the rental market is a very precarious place to be at the moment,” she said.

“There is simply no way that homeless services will be able to cope with this level of need. The consequence will be people forced to stay with family and friends or overhold in their rental accommodation.

“It will also see a rise in rough sleeping and the prospect of families with children being referred to garda stations for a safe place to sleep. These numbers are a direct consequence of government failure.”

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said the increase in people accessing emergency accommodation was ‘unfortunate’.

“The situation is very challenging but the Government, local authorities and those in our NGO sectors are working together and making every effort to reduce homelessness,” he said.

“In addition to our focus on increasing supply, I have introduced a number of measures to help those at risk of homelessness following the phasing out of the winter eviction moratorium.

“These include introducing 1,000 additional targeted leasing units, securing at least 1,500 tenant in situ purchases in 2023 and expanding emergency accommodation by adding 2,000 new beds.”

Permission refused for 97-unit housing development in Kilkenny

Despite being a worthwhile indicator, the Department of Housing’s monthly homelessness reports do not reflect the full extent of local and national homelessness.

This is because government homeless statistics relate only to people provided with emergency accommodation by local authorities.

They do not include people frequently described as the ‘hidden homeless’ that may be sleeping rough, living in refuges, or staying with parents, relatives and friends in overcrowded conditions.