Publications and reports Homeless Watch Homeless watch Updated February 2021 402 Adults in Emergency Accommodation in Cork According to figures from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government there were 8,313 men, women and children in emergency accommodation nationally during the week of 25-31 January 2021. CORK 402 adults were recorded to be staying in emergency accommodation in Cork during the week of 25-31 January 2021 - an increase of 4% since December 2020 and a fall of 6% in twelve months. Source: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government This 6% decline can be attributed to the health & safety measures introduced in emergency shelters because of Covid-19 combined with Government measures such as the moratorium on evictions and rent increases in the private rented sector. SOUTHWEST 625 men, women and children were recorded to be staying in emergency accommodation in the Southwest (Cork and Kerry) during the week of 25-31 January 2021 - an increase of 3% since December 2020 and a fall of 26% in twelve months. Source: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government This 26% decline can be attributed to the health & safety measures introduced in emergency shelters because of Covid-19 combined with Government measures such as the moratorium on evictions and rent increases in the private rented sector. It is also worth noting that these figures only capture people in emergency accommodation and don’t reflect the full scale of the homeless crisis. People rough sleeping, those in squats, parents and children in refuges, those in direct provision and the hidden homeless – people staying with family or friends on an insecure basis, often in over-crowded accommodation, because they have no where else to stay – are not counted. “When I starts going in [to the Emergency Shelter] I didn’t know what to be expecting. I’d never been in that situation before. And to be honest I was just sitting there looking around me thinking what am I after doing to myself.” Rents at all-time high. Supply at all-time low. According to latest rental report (Q3 2020) from Daft.ie, asking rents in Cork City increased 5.2% from Q3 2019 to Q3 2020; they increased by 2.5% in Cork County during the same period. Average asking rent during Q3 2020 in Cork City was €1,443 per month – the highest on record; average asking rent during Q3 2020 in Cork County was €1,057 per month – also the highest on record. The report noted just 565 homes were available to rent in Munster on 01 November 2020 – a new low for availability in a series that started in 2006. The Simon Communities in Ireland’s latest Locked Out of the Market study (November 2020) notes private rented supply is at "chronically low levels across the country". It found were were just 72 properties available to rent in Cork city over a three day period in September (21 - 23 September) - none of which were within Rent Allowance / Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) levels. Just 57 properties were available to rent in Cork City suburbs during the same period - only one of which was within a Rent Allowance / Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limit. “The prices are ridiculous. It’s Cork at the minute; it’s crazy to get anywhere, like. You find one that’s in your price range and there’s six, seven other people in front of you there and a lot of them have cash in their hand ready to go because they know how hard it is. I’ve got so many times just refused, just refused.” Average asking rent for a one-bed property in Cork City, according to the latest rental report (Q3 2020) from Daft.ie, is €1,112 – more than double the Rent Allowance / Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limit for a single person. The Simon Communities in Ireland’s latest Locked Out of the Market study (November 2020), found that over three consecutive dates in September (21 - 23 September) 2020, no properties were available to rent in Cork City under standard or discretionary HAP limits for a single person. Discretionary HAP refers to flexibility of up to 20%, approved case-by-case. “And even with the rent allowance, it makes no difference to me. It’s no benefit.” Average asking rent for a 2 bed property in Cork City Centre according to the latest rental report (Q3 2020) from Daft.ie is €1,214 – 31% higher than the €925 Rent Allowance / HAP limit for a couple or single parent and two children. The Simon Communities in Ireland’s latest Locked Out of the Market study (November 2020), found that over three consecutive dates in September (21 - 23 September) 2020, no properties were available to rent in Cork City under standard or discretionary HAP limits for a single person. Discretionary HAP refers to flexibility of up to 20%, approved case-by-case. Renters at high risk of poverty The Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) in Ireland, compiled by the CSO, found almost one in six people in Ireland (17%) are at risk of poverty. It found, however, that 61% of people in rental accommodation are at risk of poverty. 27% of people seeking support at our Soup Run live in private rented accommodation, indicating this poverty trap – when rent and bills are paid, there is little left for food. More people in employment in need of social housing The percentage of people in employment and on the Social Housing Waiting List for Cork city and county City has almost doubled since 2013 and now stands at 30%, indicating people’s increasing difficulty in accessing the housing and rental market. In total, 7,172 households in Cork city and county require social housing – 4,639 households in Cork City and a further 2,533 households in Cork County are registered as in need of social housing. Source: Summary of Social Housing Assessment Needs 2019