Homeless figures presented by Leitrim County Council are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the housing problem.
That's the view of Ballinamore Councillor Brendan Barry following the release of homeless presentation figures to the local authority for the first months of 2023.
Eleven households have registered as homeless to Leitrim County Council so far this year, with six individuals and one family are currently in emergency accommodation.
Since the eviction ban was removed, the local authority has revealed that 25 individuals or family groups have been in contact after they received notices of termination for their tenancy.
Councillor Barry believes that the situation will worsen rapidly and that the council figures only encompass those who are entitled to housing supports.
He's warned that many other families in the region are facing a growing risk of homelessness:
'These figures that we're talking about that the council is aware of are people that are eligible for housing supports.
They're going to the council because they are eligible and within the income limits.
They're many other families and people who also got notices, and looking at Daft.ie as one example, there are only three properties in Leitrim that are available to rent today.
They're ranging in price from €1,500 down to €950 and for a lot of families that's working, that's alot of money to come up with.'
