Homelessness figures have reached a record high, surpassing 17,000 for the first time, with 17,112 people in emergency accommodation last month.
The Department of Housing’s latest homeless report reveals that 11,793 adults and 5,319 children accessed emergency accommodation in January, reports RTE.
This marks an increase of 378 people compared to December, when 16,734 were recorded as homeless.
In November, nearly 17,000 (16,996) people used emergency accommodation, but the numbers dropped in December, which is often seen over the Christmas period when some homeless individuals stay with friends or family instead of in emergency accommodation, reports RTE.
In January, half of the adults in emergency accommodation were Irish (5,897), while the next largest group, almost a third, came from outside the European Economic Area (3,572).
Around 20% were from within the European Economic Area or the UK (2,324), reports RTE.
Regarding age groups, the majority of homeless adults were aged between 25 and 44 years (6,232).
The Dublin region accounted for the largest proportion of adults in emergency accommodation, with 8,267 individuals, reports RTE.
Minister for Housing James Browne expressed his awareness of the growing homelessness issue in Ireland, stating that it is unacceptable for anyone to be homeless.
He identified the issuing of notices to quit rental properties as a primary driver of homelessness and explained that the Government is addressing this issue by strengthening tenants’ rights through new rental legislation, reports RTE.
Minister Browne expressed confidence that the new legislation would not lead to an increase in homelessness.
On the contrary, he believes that increased security of tenure will reduce eviction rates and the frequency of notices to quit, reports RTE.
He was speaking in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, where he visited a nearly completed housing development by WhiteBox, in partnership with Tipperary County Council.
Sinn Féin’s Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin and Labour’s Conor Sheehan argued that the Government’s new rental measures will only make the homelessness crisis worse.
The Residential Tenancies Bill, which was signed into law earlier this week, will take effect on Sunday, with the Government claiming it is essential to increase property supply and address the housing crisis, reports RTE.
Opposition figures, however, argue that the new rules will lead to a sharp rise in rents.
Speaking outside Leinster House, Mr. Ó Broin said that starting Sunday, new renters will face significant rent hikes, forcing many into homelessness due to affordability issues, reports RTE.
He criticized the Government, saying they are “consciously, deliberately and knowingly” worsening the homelessness crisis until it is properly addressed, making the housing crisis deeper.
Mr. Sheehan warned that rent pressure zones, which were originally introduced to address high rent inflation in 2015 and 2016, would be ineffective and lead to economic evictions.
He predicted that the number of homeless individuals would significantly increase in the next year or two, with the current crisis caused by the failures of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s housing policies, reports RTE.
Social Democrats’ Housing Spokesperson Rory Hearne urged the Taoiseach to take immediate action, including a ban on evictions that lead to homelessness.
He questioned how much the Government would tolerate before action was taken, highlighting the unacceptable situation of children growing up in emergency accommodation, reports RTE.
In response, Catherine Kenny, Chief Executive of the Dublin Simon Community, stressed the need for the Government to act quickly and deliver solutions with the most impact.
She pointed out that behind every homelessness statistic is a person, and emphasized that 2026 must be a turning point in tackling the crisis, reports RTE.
Focus Ireland’s CEO Pat Dennigan described the rise in homelessness as “disgraceful,” particularly the inclusion of 5,319 children, calling it heartbreaking, reports RTE.
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