Twenty-eight homeless in Cavan, including 11 children

Homelessness in the Cavan Monaghan and Louth area has increased by over 150 per cent in the last three years.

Figures released by the Department of Housing revealed that 209 people in this are were considered homeless in the month of November, 2023. In 2022, 139 people were registered as homeless in the same area, while 82 were homeless in 2021.

In general, you may be considered homeless if you are sleeping rough; staying in an emergency hostel or refuge; staying in bed and breakfast or hotel accommodation on a temporary basis; staying temporarily with friends or family because you have nowhere else to go or squatting (occupying a building illegally).

The statistics do not take into account those who have not made their circumstances known to the council. Furthermore, the figures to not include refugees, asylum seekers and those in women in refuge centres.

Explaining the current status of homelessness in the county, a spokesperson for Cavan County Council explained it is providing emergency accommodation for 17 adults and 11 children from the county.

“Accommodation solutions have been provided for five adults and three children. They are due to move out of emergency over the next week or so.”

As the homeless numbers continue to grow, so does the number of people on the social housing list as the housing crisis continues to grow.

According to the spokesperson, 541 are currently on the social housing waiting list. While a further 581 applicants “are in receipt of some form of social housing support on the waiting list for a transfer”.

This brings the total number of people on the official waiting list to 1,122.

However, Cavan County Council is optimistic the ‘Housing for All’ scheme, the Government's strategic housing plan from 2022 to 2026, will help reduce the numbers.

The spokesperson revealed the council’s new build target for over the lifetime of the 'Housing for All' scheme is 490 units.

“135 new build units were completed in 2022 and 2023. The current new build programme consists of 22 housing schemes, comprising 336 units at various stages of planning, design, and construction; 129 units are under construction at present,” confirmed a spokesperson for the council.

The spokesperson added that all dwellings, which are ready for allocation, will be "offered and let this year".

Cavan County Council are is advising anybody who finds themselves in a homeless situation to contact the local authority directly on 049-4378300.