THE NUMBER OF long term homeless people in Cork has increased three fold since 2008, according to the Cork Simon Community.

In its annual report, launched today by housing minister Jan O’Sullivan, the charity says that throughout 2011, 76 people in Cork Simon’s Emergency shelter were long term homeless, compared to 24 in 2007.

“Too many people are stuck in emergency accommodation for over six months, because they have no other option” said Dermot Kavanagh, Chief Executive. The charity said there needs to be an increase in ‘move on’ options for people who are staying in emergency accomodation for more than 6 months, the definition the government gives for long term homelessness.

Cork Simon has 5 homes for long term homeless people, Cork Simon told thejournal.ie, in which 70 people stayed over the course of 2011. However, it needed more.

“When people come to our shelter almost half are able to move on within one week and more than two thirds within one month” said Kavanagh.

Nonetheless almost one in five shelter residents are stuck in homelessness six months later because there are no move on options for them.

The Cork Simon Community supported 621 people in 2011. Of these, 18 per cent were women and 19 per cent were under the age of 26.

According to a health survey carried out by the charity, 66 per cent of homeless people in Cork had a mental health problem. One in five had both a mental and physical health problem.