Press Statement Census 2022 Results Profile 6 - Homelessness

Tá leagan Gaeilge den leathanch seo ar fáil. Féach Daonáireamh 2022 Próifíl 6 - Daoine gan dídean.

• Over 10,300 people were counted as homeless on Census Night (03 April 2022).

• Of these, 60% were male and 40% were female.

• More than two-thirds of homeless people (7,238) were in the Dublin Region.

• The average age of people counted as homeless was 29.5 years compared with an average of 38.8 years for the State population.

• Of those counted as homeless, 3,020 were young people aged 0-17 years.

• More than 80% of homeless people aged 15 years and over were single in 2022 compared with 43% of the State population.

• There were 1,367 family units enumerated as part of the homeless count, which represented 5,057 people.

Statistician's Comment

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (23 May 2024) released Census 2022 Profile 6 - Homelessness.

Commenting on the results, Sheelagh Bonham, Statistician in the Census Division, said: "Today's publication of the Census 2022 Homelessness report details the number of people who spent Census Night in either accommodation designated for homeless people or sleeping roughin April 2022. The report provides information on the numbers of males and females who were homeless, their ages, as well as their family status.

Services for those who are homeless are provided on a regional basis across nine regions. In Census 2022 the 7,238 people who were homeless in the Dublin region made up more than two-thirds of all people who were homeless nationally. The South-West region had 731 people who were homeless. The Mid-East had the next highest number at 631 people."

Census 2022 Profile 6 - Homelessness: Key Findings by Theme

Age and Sex

More than 6,000 of the 10,321 people who were homeless were male (60%). Just over 4,000 were female (40%). The breakdown for the State population was 49% male and 51% female.

Just over 3,300 people who were homeless were aged under 20 years. This was almost one-third of the total homeless population. The population of homeless people was generally younger than the State's population. The average age of homeless people was 29.5 years compared with 38.8 years for the general population.

Females who were homeless had an average age of 25.5 years, compared with 39.4 years for the general population. The average age of males who were homeless was 32.0 years, compared with an average of 38.2 years for the overall male population.

Marital Status

More than 5,000 people aged 15 and over who were homeless in Census 2022 were single. This was more than 80% of all those aged 15 and over who responded to the question on marital status. Among the general population, 43% of all those aged 15 and over were single. Only 12% of respondents who were homeless were married, compared with 46% of all people aged 15 and over.

Families

There were almost 1,400 families who were homeless in Census 2022, accounting for more than 5,000 people. This included 711 one-parent families with children and 576 couples with children. Nearly 1,600 people were in families with four or more children. Among the one-parent families, almost 300 had one child while 210 had two children. There were 166 couples with two children and 162 with four or more children.

Editor's Note

This Census Profile 6 on Homelessness was originally due to be published on 16 November 2023. However, due to the identification of an incomplete data file during the data processing stage, the publication was postponed. In order to meet the required data standards, an additional administrative data file was required to prepare this profile and the necessary data governance processes have been completed. Under the Statistics Act, 1993, the CSO can legally use administrative data to complement survey data where needed (See Administrative Data FAQ - CSO - Central Statistics Office).This profile now meets the standards required for publishing official statistics.

The CSO apologises for any inconvenience caused by the delay.

Other Information

• The approach for conducting the homeless count was to identify establishments where homeless persons were staying on Census night rather than by self-identification. This approach was agreed in advance by the major stakeholders involved in providing services to homeless people. A count of rough sleepers, led by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE), also took place on Census Night. For further information on the methodology, see the Background Notes to the report.
• People in Long Term Accommodation (LTA) are not included in the main results in this report, as agreed in advance with stakeholder groups. While this group may require a certain level of support, they are for the most part considered tenants and are accordingly not included. Census 2022 recorded 2,196 individuals in LTAs on Census Night.
• The census took place on Sunday, 03 April 2022. All of the results are available on our website. A Census 2022 Results FAQ is also available.
• A briefing on Profile 6 - Homelessness is available which includes a full presentation and short audio files in English and Irish on the key results.
• An infographic has been published for Census 2022 Profile 6 Homelessness. Contact [email protected] if you require the infographic in a particular format.
• Definitions - Please see Background Notes.

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