Up to 20 sleeping rough nightly on the streets of Galway

THE city is facing into its worst ever winter of homelessness with up to 20 people sleeping rough on the streets every night.

Local charities have made a special appeal for help in the run-up to Christmas with the Galway Simon Community saying that their services are being ‘pushed to breaking point’.

A shortage of social housing, rising rents as well as addiction and mental health problems are being blamed for the worsening homelessness situation.

According to COPE Galway – one of the local charities supporting the homeless – there are now close on 20 people sleeping rough in the city every night.

All of COPE’S 26 male beds at the Fairgreen Hostel, Eyre Square and 12 (female and children) at Osterley Lodge, Lower Salthill are currently fully occupied.

Martin O’Connor, Assistant Chief Executive of COPE Galway, said that they were working with the City Council to have an additional 16 beds coming on-stream over the coming days.

“What we are also seeing is that the average length of stay at our facilities is increasing to around 90 days as compared to just a month last year – this obviously puts pressure on our capacity,” said Martin O’Connor.

Galway Simon Community CEO, Bill Griffin, has sent a letter to city households seeking a donation of €50 in a bid to maintain their services which he said were at breaking point.

“Our services are under unbearable strain – that’s why this week, I must count on your compassion to support us. A €50 gift will make a real and tangible difference to a person affected by homelessness this Christmas,” said Bill Griffin.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.