A new report from Focus Ireland and Trinity College Dublin has highlighted that the vast majority of public spending on homelessness continues to be directed toward emergency accommodation, with minimal investment in prevention and long-term solutions, reports RTE.
The Focus on Homelessness report reveals that nearly €361 million was spent on emergency accommodation in 2024, accounting for 86% of all homelessness-related expenditure. Just 5% of total spending went toward prevention measures such as tenancy sustainment and resettlement support.
Analyzing public expenditure from 2009 to projected spending in 2025, the report shows that since 2014, the number of households in temporary and emergency accommodation has surged by 258%, rising from 2,419 to 8,669 by mid-2024, reports RTE.
Over €1.84 billion has been spent on emergency accommodation since 2013, with a growing share going to private, for-profit providers. In 2024, for every €1 allocated to homeless charities, €3 went to private providers—a sharp increase from nearly equal funding in 2014.
Mike Allen, Advocacy Director at Focus Ireland and co-author of the report, stressed the urgent need to shift spending priorities. While emergency accommodation is essential to prevent rough sleeping, he said it fails to address the root causes of homelessness.
“We need to rebalance our investment toward prevention and support services that offer lasting solutions. Continuing to pour money into temporary fixes without tackling underlying issues is not only ineffective but also unsustainable. These figures raise serious questions about the Government’s decision to limit expenditure on Tenant-in-situ purchases, one of its most successful homeless prevention schemes,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr. Allen urged greater investment in long-term strategies such as the Housing First model and expanded social housing delivery to break the cycle of homelessness.
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