'It's torture': Record numbers of homeless in Cork as 96 families live in emergency accommodation

A total 650 people are now homeless in Cork, a new record high and a dramatic increase from 520 this time last year, as Caitríona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners says it is “torture” living in emergency accommodation as a family.

The April figures, released by the government on Friday, mark yet another new record high; up from 641 in March, 633 in February and 611 in January.

Ms Twomey told The Echo: “That’s only the tip of the iceberg – they don’t count the people sleeping rough on the streets and we can see an increase in that visibly by just walking around the streets.

“There’s also the people living at home with their parents, couch surfing or living in BnBs and hostels – the increase in everything is alarming, but the alarm bells rang a couple of years ago and I’d say they’re worn out from ringing now.” 

She continued: “Everyone is just flummoxed as to why something can’t be done, we need a short term solution while we’re waiting for something long term – a turnover of houses, particularly one bed apartments, because a lot of these people are on their own.” 

The figures also show that there are 96 families in emergency accommodation in Cork and Kerry, including 157 adults and 193 children.

Ms Twomey said: “You cannot have a life in emergency accommodation, and if you have children you can’t give them any quality of life all.

“They’ll be off now for the long weekend and all stuck in the one room, it’s torture - how they endure the hardship and survive it I don’t know, but it has a detrimental effect on children’s mental health, and some kids are spending two or three years in this type of accommodation.

“Hats off to the parents do this the best they can under the circumstances they have, we meet a lot of them you can see it in their eyes, the hurt and the exasperation – we need a clear knuckling down before the summer so they don’t have to spend the holidays in the one room together, no privacy.” 

She concluded: “Shame on the government – those words aren’t even enough. We need all our ministers in on this to just fix the problem, thinking up solutions isn’t good enough anymore. People ask me what would I do, I say just give me a chance and I’ll show you.” 

Cork South Central Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice said that the figures could not continue to rise like this: “These numbers continue to be a stain on society and are a damning indictment of failed housing policy by successive governments. We simply cannot, and must not, accept this appalling level of homelessness.

“Homelessness and housing have been an emergency for over a decade, yet we are still waiting for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to treat it as such”.

He called for emergency response including a no-fault eviction ban, better protection for renters, the full reinstatement of the tenant in-situ scheme, and investment in “genuinely affordable housing”.

Mr Rice encouraged people to attend the Raise the Roof protest the housing crisis in Cork City on the 21st of June, saying: “If seeing the homeless figures rising every month makes you angry, if you’re sick and tired of the housing crisis affecting your life every day, if you feel as though the government has failed you and those you love, I would encourage you to attend to Raise the Roof Rally for housing on Saturday the 21st June at 2pm and make your voice heard”.