Higher rate of homelessness in one-parent families requires urgent Government action.
Press Release
Friday, 26th May 2023
Figures published by the Department of Housing today, show the devastating impact the eviction ban is starting to have on one-parent family households. Homeless figures show there was 962 one-parent families living in emergency this month, up 64 or 7%, since March. One-parent families continue to make up over half of all families in homelessness, a trend that has persisted since the start of the housing crisis. One Family are deeply concerned at the rate of increase this month, with homelessness in one-parent families increasing more than three times the rate in the general population.
One Family CEO Karen Kiernan said, “What we are witnessing is a large-scale failure of Government policy. We see from our services the stark reality behind these figures. Families are under incredible mental stress; whether they have already been forced into homelessness or are facing the looming threat of eviction. Parents are at breaking point trying to maintain normal lives for their children. Childhoods are being blighted as children struggle to cope with parental stress and the reality of not having a safe, secure or appropriate home. The worrying thing is these figures probably don’t reflect the true impact of the eviction ban as these evictions normally take a few months after notices are served to take affect. We urgently need a family homelessness strategy with targeted measures for one-parent families.”
Niamh Kelly, One Family Policy Manager said “There were 962 one-parent families living in homeless accommodation in April, 7% more than when the eviction ban was in effect in March. It must be remembered that these figures, while devastating, do not tell the full story and only capture those who are presenting to state funded emergency services. We are seeing from our services a whole cohort of people who are not captured in these numbers, who are couch surfing and staying with relatives in less than ideal circumstances. These families have been cut adrift and face increasing dangerous seas.”
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For Editors:
One Family was founded in 1972 as Cherish and is Ireland’s national organisation for one-parent families and people sharing parenting or separating, offering support, information and services to all members of all one-parent families, to those sharing parenting, to those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and to professionals working with one-parent families. Children are at the centre of One Family’s work and the organisation helps all the adults in their lives, including mums, dads, grandparents, step-parents, new partners and other siblings, offering a holistic model of specialist family support services.
These services include the lo-call askonefamily national helpline on 0818 66 22 12, counselling, and provision of training courses for parents and for professionals. For further information, visit www.onefamily.ie. The askonefamily helpline can be contacted on 0818 66 22 12 or 01-6629212.
For further information visit: https://onefamily.ie/
For housing figures click here
Available for Interview
Karen Kiernan, CEO | t: 086 850 9191
Further Information/Scheduling
Noel Sweeney, Communications and Events Manager | t: 085 7241294
