Latest news with #CorkSimon
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Annual Cork Simon fundraising ball raises record amount as homeless figures continue to rise
The charity is experiencing a surge in demand as the number of people depending on emergency accommodation continues to rise on a monthly basis. According to the Department of Housing, there are a record 688 men and women stuck in emergency accommodation in Cork and Kerry - a 27% increase in just 12 months. Cork singer and America's Got Talent contestant Stephanie Rainey performed on the night, which was hailed as the highlight for many of those who were in attendance. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was 'proud' of the effort of the local business community in continuing to support Cork Simon's work. 'I was delighted to attend the 23rd Annual Cork Simon Ball and proud of the effort of our local business community in getting behind the organisation's hugely important work. 'Cork Simon is supporting men and women who are homeless with expert care through difficult and complex circumstances. 'The funds raised represent the generosity and community spirit of the people of Cork,' Mr Martin said. This year's event was the outgoing ball co-chair Eoin Gunn's final ball, and the Head of Business Banking at AIB said it was a 'privilege' to work alongside his fellow committee members. 'The Cork Simon Ball Committee members are a great group of people, and it was a privilege to work with them on behalf of Cork Simon,' he said. John Burchill of Hayfield Manor is also leaving his post as co-chair of the Cork Simon Ball Committee, and he complimented the 'heartening' generosity given from the businesses in Cork. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'Everybody we asked to support Cork Simon said yes, from sponsors, to attendees to event suppliers. 'The generosity from the community was heartening. 'It's a difficult time and we know these funds will support more people in ways that will make the biggest difference to their lives. It's amazing what we can achieve when we all come together.' The annual ball has raised €1.8 million since it began and is an opportunity for Cork companies to work together as a community to raise funds that will help support Cork Simon's life-changing work. The event is organised by a voluntary committee made up of local business leaders and is sponsored by several Cork-based companies including Heineken Ireland, EZ Living Interiors, Keane's Jewellers, Dunnes Stores and JPMG.
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Cork Simon report shows near 'impossible' hopes of finding one or two-bedroom homes
Adults in emergency accommodation finding a one or two-bedroom houses would be like "finding dinosaur teeth", a new report from a Cork homeless service has claimed. Cork Simon Community's Home Truths paper, published toda, claims there is a "significant undersupply" of relevant housing for the largest household category in the country. The majority of adults in emergency accommodation in Cork and Kerry are single households, statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the Department of Housing show. However, the report says that the majority of housing available is for three and four-bedroomed properties. Cork Simon says there are twice as many one and two person households in Cork City as there are one-and-two bedroom homes. It said there was "little sign" of the under-supply of one and two-bedroomed housing improving. Sophie Johnston of Cork Simon said that the issue was particularly affecting those on the social housing lists. "Over 60% of households on the social housing waiting list in Cork City are single households while over three-quarters of adults in homeless emergency accommodation here in the Southwest are single adults, most of whom need single unit housing to be able to leave homelessness," Ms Johnston said. "Not only do we need more housing, we especially need more one and two-bed housing.' Apartment units The report noted that apartment construction is a good indicator of future supply, with 80% of apartments in Cork City being one or two-bedroomed units. However, approved planning permissions for apartment units in Cork City fell by 61% in 2024, while less than one in four apartment units approved for planning in Cork City between 2018 and 2022 were completed by the end of 2024. Latest CSO data shows new apartment completions in Cork City were down 10% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Building commencement notices for apartment units also fell in Cork City in the first quarter of 2025 to their lowest quarterly number in five years. John Foskett, a Cork Simon project worker, said: 'Finding one- and two-beds is like finding dinosaur teeth. There's nothing available on Daft. It's nonexistent." He added that while service users were normally going with a view to renting through Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), they were not finding success. "If I find somewhere available and we mention HAP, they don't get a call back. "With the lack of one- and two-beds over the last 18 months, it's an impossible market for our lads to break into." Barry, a Cork Simon service user, shared his experience for Home Truths, describing it as 'little-to-nothing'. He said: "If there was a single, you'd see the amount of views on it. There's too many people looking for the one accommodation, [that] kind of thing.' Read More Cork Airport to welcome 62,500 passengers this May bank holiday weekend
