Tag Archives: Clare homelessness

ALARM bells are ringing over a 34% increase in Clare’s homeless presentations for the first six months of this year compared with previous figures for full years. New statistics obtained by the Clare Champion revealed there were 94 adult single homeless presentations in Clare from January to June 2022 compared to 70 for twelve months in 2019 and 69 for 2020. The highest total was back in 2018 when there were 127 adult single homeless presentations. At the end of the first quarter in 2022, there were 59 adults in emergency accommodation which included 12 families, four couples with dependent children and eight individuals with dependent children). The total number of dependents was 23. During 2021, there were 1,959 presentations, 626 new and 1,333 repeat, and 29 new households were placed in accommodation in homeless services. Clare County Council’s homeless expenditure has increased dramatically from €561,032 in 2018 to €2.192 million in 2019 to €2.2395 million in 2020 and €2.223 …

THE level of demand for homeless services in Clare is as high as it has ever been, the County Council management’s report for October states. “Demand for homeless services in Clare are unprecedented for this time of year. At the time of writing emergency accommodation is at capacity with a waiting list in place for access to accommodation,” it claimed. The report said it is very hard to find new accommodation, even though it is badly needed. “The Council continues to pursue additional emergency accommodation however this is proving challenging due to competing demands for accommodation in the County.” During the period from August 19 up to September 15 it found that 13 households exited homeless services, but there were 40 new presentations, along with 191 repeat presentations. At the October meeting of the Council, Director of Service Ann Haugh said that Clare’s experience is not exceptional. “We are reflecting what is happening nationally really, presentations are rising.” Also at …

A Clare-based mother, who was once homeless on the streets in London, is raising funds for a mobile shower for homeless people in Ennis, saying, “I believe people deserve to be treated with dignity. For homeless individuals, having access to a hot shower is the first step in reigniting a feeling of self worth.” Fiona Faulkes has been living in Ennis for nearly 10 years and regularly helps the town’s homeless, having experienced first-hand sleeping under cardboard in England’s capital. She describes becoming homeless as feeling like “the whole world is going to just collapse”. However support from those working with people on the streets in London as well as others who were homeless helped her get through it. She is now hoping to raise €10,000 through an online GoFundMe campaign to buy a caravan and convert it to give people living on the streets here in Clare a wheelchair accessible place to wash and dress. “This is just a …