The charity provided emergency accommodation for an extra 32 homeless families in Dublin last year, its newly-released annual report has shown.
The 205 families took refuge in The Salvation Army’s three family hubs across the capital, compared to 173 in 2022.
There are currently 14,760 people in the State who are homeless or relying on emergency accommodation, of which 4,561 are children, official figures show.
The Salvation Army, funded by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and the HSE, is one of the largest providers of emergency accommodation in Dublin, providing more than 250,000 bed nights a year across its six lifehouses.
The 2023 report revealed that in Houben House (Harold’s Cross), Clonard Road (Crumlin) and Greencastle (Coolock), a combined 76,000 meals were served to parents and children.
Young mother Chloe Coffey, 25, who appeared on RTÉ’s Upfront programme on housing this month is among the new residents at Houben House.
She was forced to leave her job when a problem arose with the creche attended by her son Jackson (4), who suffers from a life-limiting heart condition.
Ms Coffey was unable to afford her €2,700 per monthly rent as a result and was forced into homelessness with her son.
She outlined her plight directly to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien and party leaders during the live televised housing special
“I left my job and just could not sustain the rent and I had to declare myself homeless,” she said.
“I’m very grateful to have somewhere over my head but you can’t cook a meal and supervise your child in a communal kitchen, you can’t do both at once.
“I don’t even want to get up in the mornings, I’m constantly crying, then my son is wondering ‘why is mammy always upset?’”
Staff in the church and charity’s three family and three adult-only hubs (Granby Centre, York House and Rease House) work to alleviate the pressure of homelessness through a wide range of activities organised for residents.
These include programmes to prepare them for independent living, employment schemes, stress reduction activities, walking groups and support groups based on the Twelve Steps of Recovery programme.
“Despite the enormous difficulties, our families work hard to see beyond their current circumstances, engage with our services and work towards a better future for themselves and their children,” said Marion Rouffet, the Salvation Army’s Divisional Commander in Ireland.
She stressed a lack of adequate housing options, financial difficulties, mental health challenges and language barriers as obstacles for those facing or in homelessness.
“Our dedicated staff work with housing agencies to find suitable accommodation and we also design and deliver several classes and workshops to help people learn about budgeting, healthy eating and other skills vital for life beyond the family hub,” she said.
The report also revealed that staff at some of the homeless family hubs are sometimes at risk of ‘compassion fatigue’, from working with individuals exposed to trauma.
It stated that prolonged interactions can have a “significant impact on mental and physical health”.
‘A Health and Wellbeing Policy’ for staff is in place as a result.
The charity also runs an active chaplaincy service, which offers pastoral support to residents, staff and families.
The latest housing figures for the country are due to be released by the Department of Housing on Friday, November 29.
