The number of homeless people aged 65 and over living in emergency accommodation has jumped by a quarter in the west in just a year.

Families being put up in hotels, B&Bs and homeless hubs has risen by over 9% in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

In total there were 645 people, including 117 families with 225 children, recorded as living in emergency accommodation in the West of Ireland over Christmas week. Of these, 268 adults were in Galway between December 23 and 29.

With the housing crisis continuing and the weather conditions becoming more severe, the risks are growing, warns Galway Simon CEO Karen Golden.

“It is heart breaking to see the increasing number of older people coming into homelessness for the first time in their lives, and the stress that having nowhere to call home is having on people in their senior years,” she stated.

“The shortage of housing for single person households is making it particularly challenging for individuals to access affordable accommodation.

“We’re facing a perfect storm of challenges with housing delivery falling short of already too low targets, the severe lack of affordable rental properties within Housing Assistance Payment limits and the escalating costs in the private rental market, all exacerbating the housing crisis.”

The charity has launched a ‘Homelessness Crisis Appeal’ this week in response to the continuing heavy demand on their services.

Caption: Increase…Galway Simon CEO Karen Golden.

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