According to the latest figures released from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, over 1,000 children in Dublin are now homeless.
A breakdown of these shocking figures shows how, as of the week of May 18-24 this year, there were 1,034 children – in 490 families – in ‘emergency accommodation’.
These heartbreaking statistics come as Housing First project leader Adrian Quinn revealed that families with children have been looking to avail of rough-sleeper services in Dublin for the very first time.
“We are all familiar with the increasing number of families and children coming into homelessness, but the fact that they are moving into the sphere of rough-sleeping is very worrying,” said Mr Quinn.
He added: “We have intervened and got them a place for the night. We have had a lot of reports from people concerned about families sleeping in cars.”
In light of the statistics, director of advocacy for Focus Ireland, Mike Allen, is now calling on Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly to “intervene urgently” and ensure that young children do not end up rough-sleeping on the city’s streets.
Mr Allen has written a letter to Minister Kelly, in the hope that his request will bring about serious action.
