Homelessness: Another new record as 17,517 people in emergency accommodation

THE NUMBER OF people in emergency accommodation increased by 209 last month, reaching a new record high of 17,517.

Of those, 5,571 were children, while the figures also show 2,659 families were accessing emergency accommodation.

The latest data from the Department of Housing shows that homelessness levels have continued to rise, after the total first passed 17,000 at the start of 2026.

Last month, there were a total of 17,308 in emergency accommodation, including 5,457 children.

Today’s new record figure has been met with harsh criticism of government housing policies, particularly new rent rules that have led to large numbers of evictions recently.

Ber Grogan, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said it was “unconscionable” that so many people need emergency accommodation.

“Each month we see the numbers increase and unfortunately there are still no signs of them reversing,” Grogan said.

“At the same time, we are seeing clear warning signs in the rental sector, with eviction notices rising by 45% in recent months, affecting hundreds more households, including those relying on supports like HAP.

“We are now watching the effects of that pressure unfold in real time. More people are losing their homes, and more people are being pushed into homelessness.”

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Before 1 March, the annual increase of rent for a property was capped at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever was lower. Since the new regulation was introduced, rents can be set between tenancies or after a six-year period at “market rate”.

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said homelessness can be ended with the right approach. 

“It really is heartbreaking to see homelessness hit yet another record level and to know that thousands of children are growing up without the security of a home. Homelessness is not a foregone conclusion. With the right policies we can turn this around,” he said. 

Rory Hearne TD, the housing spokesperson for the Social Democrats, laid the blame at government policies that he said have incentivised landlords to evict tenants. 

“Almost six years on from the coalition’s first combined housing plan, Housing for All, the number of children in homelessness has more than doubled, yet Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael shout from the rafters that they’re doing a good job in housing,” Hearne said in a statement.

“ Today’s damning figures are a direct result of the Government policies, particularly the rent regulations introduced on 1 March, the lead up to which saw a dramatic increase in evictions, the likes of which have not been seen since the famine.”

Eoin Ó Broin TD, the Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, criticised Housing Minister James Browne foe cutting funding for “vital homeless prevention schemes like tenant-in-situ”.

“This government is actively making the homelessness crisis worse,” he said.

“Instead of introducing an emergency package of measures as proposed by Sinn Féin and others they are lining the pockets of institutional investors and big developers while screwing renters and forcing ever more adults and children into homelessness.” 

With reporting from David Mac Redmond

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