Number of homeless families in city soars

The homelessness problem in the city has reached crisis point with a new report confirming a surge in the numbers of Galway families sleeping in hostels, hotels and B&Bs.

The City Council’s latest housing report shows that a ‘hidden homelessness’, whereby individuals and families with young children are forced into temporary and emergency accommodation, is becoming more prevalent. The quarterly housing report reveals that the homeless problem has spiralled – it is up by a quarter in just six months.

In June of 2014, some 136 households on the housing waiting list, declared themselves homeless to City Hall. By September, that figure had jumped to 158, and by the end of December it had increased again to 171. The number of households that have declared themselves homeless has increased by 35, which is the equivalent of 26%.

Independent City Councillor, Mike Cubbard, says the situation is intolerable, and the figures are extremely worrying.

The Westside-based elected representative pointed out that two homeless people died recently in Dublin while they were sleeping rough – a similar tragedy could happen in Galway unless action is taken, he warned.

“The increasing number of people, and in many cases families with two or three young children, who have declared homeless on the housing waiting list is worrying to say the least.

I’ve been at meetings with families at City Hall when they declare they are homeless. It is very sad and they’re not doing it for the sake of it. It is very serious.

“In some cases officials will say ‘sure why don’t you live with family’. In some cases they don’t have families, in other cases it’s just not practical, for them to move back with their parents when they might have three or four children of their own.”

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune