Today, we’re proud to launch our 2023 Impact Report, which celebrates the impact our work has had across the globe. Through our services, we’re proud to have reached over 124,800 people experiencing homelessness in 2023. Find out more in our 2023 Impact Report here.
Explore the map below to learn more about the difference we made in 2023.
Helen O’Shea, our Chair of Trustees, and Matthew Carter, Group CEO Depaul International, said in a joint statement:
“2023 saw levels of homelessness continue to grow in nearly every country across the globe. As you’ll read in this report, the ongoing commitment of the Depaul Group to address the challenges this presents and support some of the most marginalised in society is unwavering. Our dedicated teams across seven countries supported nearly 125,000 people with more reached globally through our partners Famvin Homeless Alliance (FHA) and the Ruff Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH).
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continued in 2023 and sadly, we hear every day from our colleagues in Ukraine how the situation is intensifying. Our brave, dedicated staff continue to go above and beyond, helping 102,000 people with life-saving cash, accommodation, psychosocial support and more. Our local teams, working in Ukraine since 2007, continued to act fast in emerging situations, ensuring support reached those in need quickly and efficiently. The Kakhovka dam disaster in June was one example: our response saw accommodation available for displaced people within 24 hours. In September, the third phase of our Ukraine programme launched, scaling services responding to trauma, rough sleeping and displacement.
Dignity, compassion and care remains at the heart of our work, as our teams respond to challenges including increases in rough sleeping and support for those seeking international protection. In July, Depaul Ireland’s launch of Cosán Nua, a migrant services programme, was especially moving. Seeing the incredible help provided was a testament to Depaul’s ability to respond with empathy to the growing international complexities of homelessness.
Across the Group, the dedication of our staff and volunteers remains inspiring. In April, many of us came together in Paris to celebrate Depaul’s incredible work across the world. A special moment was being joined by a guest from the day centre, who shared his experience of sleeping on the streets of Paris and visiting our day centre. He spoke about feeling like ‘somebody was walking alongside’ him on his journey. It’s a sentiment that is echoed in our teams internationally, as we strive to support people with care and compassion.
2023 saw our strategic partners go from strength to strength. The FHA celebrated a milestone year, reaching 10,000 people experiencing homelessness via their 13 Houses Campaign. We also welcomed the first ever UN report on homelessness and the IGH hosted the first International Journal on Homelessness conference.
Looking ahead to 2024, global collaboration is integral to our new six-year strategy 2024-2029. We will pursue an ambitious local-global agenda to grow the number of people worldwide who can claim the most basic of human needs – the dignity and security of a home. The strategy will show how we’ll work to prevent people from becoming homeless, and how we’ll support those experiencing homelessness through our subsidiaries and global partnerships. We’ll effectively involve those we serve and actively engage with those who share our commitment to creating a society in which everyone, across the world, has a place to call home and a stake in their community.”
