There were a total of 43 adults, including four families with 12 children, in emergency accommodation in Kerry in September of this year of this year, councillors in Killarney have been told.
That was an increase of two per cent on the number in adults last January and a decrease of 33 per cent in the number of families.
According to homeless figures data submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of clients in emergency accommodation in the Killarney Municipal District in September was nine adults – an increase of 29 per cent since January – and one family which represents 25 per cent increase.
The figures were provided to Cllr Marie Moloney who asked for up to date information in light of the fact that homelessness has been escalating nationwide.
The council said that homeless clients who are single are provided emergency accommodation in both private and approved housing body designated services in Tralee and Listowel, depending on their requirements and taking such issues as addiction and mental health into consideration.
Homeless families are provided with family specific accommodation in Tralee.
Senior council official, Ger O’Brien, acknowledged that one family with children in emergency accommodation is still one too many.
“We are leaving no stone unturned to try to find emergency accommodation in Killarney,” he said.
There is currently nowhere to provide such a service in the town as suitable facilities have been impacted by the various ongoing resettlement programmes, the council in Killarney meeting heard.
A number of options are currently being explored with private service providers in the area.
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