'The pathways out are disappearing': Homelessness figures have risen again to a new high in Cork

Homelessness figures have risen again to a new high in Cork, with 641 adults accessing emergency accommodation.
The figures for March represent an increase of 50 people in just three months, and come as Cork Simon says its emergency shelter is “packed to the rafters”.
The figures were 633 in February, 611 in January, and 591 in December 2024.
Paul Sheehan, the head of campaigns and communications at Cork Simon, told
these latest figures represent “another record monthly high”.
“The emergency accommodation system is creaking at the seams, yet more people keep being pushed into homelessness — where are these people going to go?” he said.
In total, 688 adults in the South-West region, made up of Cork and Kerry, are in emergency accommodation — 526 single adults and 162 as part of families, as well as 204 children.
Emergency accommodation is broken down into two categories: ed temporary accommodation, which is made up of shelters such as Cork Simon’s, and private emergency accommodation — which includes hotels and B&Bs.
“The report shows there are 506 adults in private emergency accommodation in the South-West, compared to 188 in shelters, because the shelters are full so hotels have to be used,” Mr Sheehan said.
He said Cork Simon has an average of 76 people a night staying in its shelter — its highest figure ever.