THERE are now almost 20 people sleeping rough on the streets of Galway city – almost twice as many as previous years – according to the leading local charity dealing with homelessness.
A volatile private renting market, the lack of social housing, and a complex range of personal issues, are some of the reasons for the growing problem of rough sleeping in the city.
COPE Galway told the Connacht Tribune that the figures this winter for people sleeping rough in Galway city are about double what they were in previous years.
“Our most recent survey carried out on Monday week last (November 21) indicated that there were 19 people sleeping rough in the city.
“All our beds at the Fairgreen Hostel in Eyre Square [26 men] and Osterley Lodge in Lower Salthill [twelve women plus children] are fully occupied at present,” said Martin O’Connor, Assistant Chief Executive of COPE Galway.
He also pointed out that the average length of stay at the hostels was now 90 days as compared to just a month in previous years.
“We are working with the City Council to secure the provision of an extra 16 beds in the city area over the coming days which we hope will help to meet the demand for temporary emergency accommodation,” said Martin O’Connor.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.