Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, welcomes the decline in the number of people sleeping rough in the city. The spring 2023 rough sleeper count has found that 83 people were sleeping rough over the week March 6th to 12th 2023, a 9% reduction on both the spring and winter 2022 counts.

Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said, “It’s positive to see any decrease in the number of people sleeping rough on our streets. Although the decline is in the context of the growing number of people entering homelessness nationally, it is a success to see the most vulnerable in our society – entrenched rough sleepers – moving on into their own home.”

This work is made possible by resources provided by the DRHE in the form of additional emergency beds, intensified street outreach work by Peter McVerry Trust and Dublin Simon and an increase in Housing First targets for Dublin which has seen more homes secured for people who were sleeping rough across the city.

“We provide almost 1000 emergency beds nightly across the four Dublin local authority areas – working closely with the DRHE to ensure that those who need a bed can access one. But the key to reducing the number of people sleeping rough is Housing First. Our Housing First Intake team provide consistent and effective engagement with rough sleepers across the city – enabling them to move into their own property and out of homelessness for good.”

“Access to suitable housing is crucial for the success of our Housing First tenancies – the overwhelming majority require one-bedroom homes. At Peter McVerry Trust we are focussed on addressing this need and this year we expect our best year yet in terms of delivery of one bed units – up 20% on our 2022 figures.”

“There is no doubt that we are in a very challenging period but Housing First is proving to be very successful in helping the most vulnerable people in our society to move out of homelessness and into a home of their own.”

Peter McVerry Trust was happy to work together with Dublin Simon and staff from the DRHE/DCC to ensure that appropriately qualified and experienced staff were available to carry out the official Spring rough sleeper count in an effective, sensitive and professional manner.