West sees fastest rise in homeless families

The west has recorded the highest increase in homeless families anywhere in Ireland over the past three years.

Figures released by the Department of Housing last week show a 153 per cent increase in family homelessness across the west since March 2016 – way ahead of the national average increase of 64%.

There were 139 adults accessing emergency accommodation in the west In March 2016 – but by August 2019, this had risen to 351.

There were 17 homeless families in the west in March 2016. However this rose to 83 families by August 2019, representing a 38% increase.

This was more than four times the national average increase in family homelessness.

The western region referred to in the homelessness statistics covers counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

Threshold, the national housing charity, has this week highlighted the rapid increase in west, as it launches an urgent fundraising appeal.

Threshold’s Galway office has dealt with 624 Notices of Termination in the first nine months of this year alone – all of which involve households facing an immediate risk of homelessness and whom Threshold works to keep in their homes.

“Our frontline services are now working flat out to keep families in their homes as winter approaches,” said Threshold CEO John-Mark McCafferty.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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