Homeless figures have fallen to below 10,000 people - but only just.
New figures from the Department of Housing show a decrease in March of 241 people to a total of 9,907.
The breakdown of this figure shows there were 3,355 kids and 6,552 adults without a place to call home when Ireland went into lockdown due to Covids-19.
Welcoming the drop, Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said: “We continue to work every day with local authorities and NGOs to ensure the safety of those in emergency accommodation during the current pandemic.
“Despite the current challenges work is taking place across the country to move people into homes.
“We continue to add capacity to the system where needed to allow for isolation and social distancing and are working closely with the HSE.
“Again, I want to thank all those staff who are working on the front line through local authorities and our partner NGOs each and every day.
However, while Inner City Helping Homeless CEO Anthony Flynn welcomed the figures, he warned that we need to err on the side of caution.
He said: “We obviously welcome a reduction in the monthly figures, particularly relating to families and children, we need to air on the side of caution.
“We have seen reclassifications on previous reports so we hope that this isn’t the case here. “One thing that is noticeable from today’s figures is the year on year increase of 36% in the number of homeless pensioners which is a big concern.
“People entering their latter years in life should not be living in emergency accommodation.
“We would also expect to see a spike in the figures next month due to Covid-19.
“The Minister announced an extra 1,000 spaces being available to homeless people including hotel rooms and Air B&B units for people to cocoon however our outreach teams were unable to access a bed for someone on three nights this week.
“If beds aren’t available for people that need them this contradicts the Minister stating that there is a bed for everyone that needs it.
“Questions need to be asked as to how much is being paid to units that have empty beds that aren’t being made available to the homeless CPS service.
“These are trying times for everyone so we do welcome the reduction but expect that to change next month.”
