Left out in the cold A R E V I E W O F R U R A L H O M E L E S S N E S S I N I R E L A N D 1 INTRODUCTION Homelessness is often considered to be an urban phenomenon however, it in fact is an issue experienced in many rural areas too. It is often ‘hidden’2 in rural contexts which can make it more difficult to see and indeed measure. 3 In September 2012 the CSO released figures estimating that there were 3,808 people who were counted in accommodation providing shelter for people who are homeless or were identified sleeping rough on Census night (April 2011), of these, 1,433 were outside the Dublin region3. This is the first time the CSO undertook this count as part of the Census. As the geographical breakdown was only done by region outside of Dublin it is difficult to quantify how many people were homeless in the other major cities and towns around the country and how many were homeless in more rural parts of these regions. The lack of robust data on homelessness and the difficulties assessing the extent of rural homelessness is also a challenge identified in other EU countries.4 This paper aims to explore the experience of rural homelessness in Ireland especially among the eight Simon Communities in Ireland. It explains how rural homelessness can differ from urban homelessness and some of the challenges that arise, both for people experiencing homeless and those at risk, and service providers. It concludes with some recommendations to address the issues identified. Initially, however, it explores Government Commitments in relation to homelessness and the current policy context. 1 Paper prepared following consultation with the eight Simon Communities in Ireland based in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, the Midlands, the Mid West, the North West and the South East. 2 Hidden Homelessness refers to people who may be staying in unsecure accommodation, unfit or overcrowding accommodation, sleeping on friends/family couch. They are not visible to the public but are in need of a home. 3 CSO Census 2011 Special report on Homelessness www.cso.ie 4 FEANTSA policy Statement Housing Led Solutions to Homelessness in Rural Areas June 2013
Left out in the cold: A review of rural homelessness in Ireland
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