Homelessness and housing crisis sees COPE hit perfect storm

Demand for the services of COPE Galway is greater than ever, the charity’s annual report has revealed – with an increasing number of families becoming homeless and a general lack of accommodation across Galway all contributing to the strain on its limited resources.

Launched yesterday (Wednesday), the report shows that in over the twelve months of 2018, COPE supported 1,406 homeless people in finding shelter; 457 women and their children to escape domestic violence; and 730 older people to live independently in their own home for as long as possible.

“The persistent shortage of housing availability in Galway reached an all-time low in 2018 and resulted in many across our homeless services remaining in emergency accommodation for far longer than in previous years,” the annual report states.

“The shortage of one-bedroom housing for single person households continues to represent a major challenge in Galway and in 2018 contributed to a situation where lengths of stay in COPE Galway Services were longer than ever.”

This, according to the report, has meant a shortage of beds for those presenting homeless for the first time and increased numbers rough sleeping, while also creating a greater reliance on B&B and hotel accommodation.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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