Focus Ireland releases ground-breaking research report on lone parents and homelessness calling for action as 57% of all families homeless in Ireland are headed by single parents
Focus Ireland releases ground-breaking research report on lone parents and homelessness calling for action as 57% of all families homeless in Ireland are headed by single parents
Focus Ireland launched a new research report today at the Richmond Centre in Dublin which highlights the major challenges faced by lone parents who are homeless and outlines recommendations for solutions. The research comes as latest figures show that 57% of all families homeless in Ireland are headed by lone parents.
This in-depth qualitative study consulted with 19 lone parents with experience of homelessness and 10 key stakeholders. It documents the primary issues affecting lone parents, their experiences of services, and includes a wide-ranging list of recommendations for policy change.
The research, commissioned by Focus Ireland and conducted by Dr. Sarah Sheridan, highlights the complex interplay between housing insecurity, poverty, and family wellbeing. It draws on interviews with affected families, service providers, and policy stakeholders, offering a comprehensive picture of the systemic barriers that perpetuate homelessness among lone-parent households.
Focus Ireland Head of Advocacy Niamh Allen said: “This report is a wake-up call. Lone parents and their children deserve more than temporary solutions—they deserve a pathway to a secure home and a better future. This report highlights the failure of many of our social services to the address compounding challenges faced by lone parents. This failure has particularly harmful results in the housing and homeless sector – with lone parents more likely to experience homelessness and to experience it for longer than two parent families.”
She added: “Focus Ireland welcomes the commitment in the new National Housing and Homelessness Plan “Building Homes, Developing Communities” to develop a child and family homeless action plan, and to target moving families in long-term homelessness out of emergency accommodation. We know that a significant proportion of these families are single parent families. It is crucial that the specific needs of these families are addressed in future planning, and that adequate and appropriate supports are provided.”
This report contains a range of recommendations, informed by the lived experience of single parents in homelessness, that clearly signpost the way to improve how these services can deliver better outcomes for these parents and their children. We are calling on policymakers and stakeholders to act urgently on these recommendations to ensure that there is no child without a home.” There are currently 2,443 families homeless in Ireland and 57% (1,400) are headed by lone parents. There is a record total of over 5,200 children homeless*. (*These figures are from the Dept of Housing for Sept 2025 and there is no breakdown available for the number of children in lone parent families.)
Key Findings
- Disproportionate Impact on Lone Parents: Lone-parent families remain significantly overrepresented in homelessness statistics. The report reveals that these households face unique challenges, including limited access to affordable housing and childcare, which exacerbate their vulnerability.
- Barriers to Stability: The research identifies structural issues such as inadequate social housing supply, delays in accessing Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), and insufficient wraparound supports. These factors contribute to prolonged stays in emergency accommodation, negatively impacting children’s education and mental health.
- Psychological Toll: Interviews with parents underscore the emotional strain of homelessness. Many reported feelings of isolation, anxiety & hopelessness. A lack of secure housing undermines family stability and long-term prospects.
- Recommendations
The report sets out seven priority recommendations aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness for lone-parent families:
- Increase Supply of Affordable Housing: Accelerate delivery of social and cost-rental homes, prioritizing lone-parent households in allocation policies.
- Enhance Income Supports: Review and adjust welfare and housing subsidies to reflect rising living costs and ensure equitable access to secure accommodation.
- Expand Childcare Provision: Introduce targeted childcare supports for homeless families to enable parents to pursue employment and education opportunities.
- Improve Interagency Coordination: Strengthen collaboration between housing authorities, social services, and NGOs to provide holistic, family-centred support.
- Invest in Mental Health Services: Develop tailored psychological and wellbeing programs for parents and children experiencing homelessness.
- Streamline HAP Processes: Reduce administrative delays and improve transparency in housing support schemes to prevent unnecessary hardship.
- Monitor and Evaluate Outcomes: Establish robust data collection and reporting mechanisms to track progress and inform future policy decisions.
Voices from the Report
The report includes powerful testimonies from parents who shared their lived experiences:
- “I never thought I would end up homeless. I had a job; I was doing okay. Then my landlord sold the house, and suddenly we were in a hotel room. My kids ask me every day when we will have a home again. I don’t have an answer.”
- “It’s the stigma that hurts the most. People look at you differently when you say you’re in emergency accommodation. I feel like I’ve failed my children, even though I’m doing everything I can.”
- “Childcare is impossible. I want to work, but how can I when I can’t afford it and there’s no support? It feels like the system is set up to keep us stuck.”
These voices highlight the urgent need for systemic change and underscore the terrible human impact behind the statistics. The report was conducted as part of INVOLVE which is a cross-European research project (2023–2027), funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme, that studies how welfare states, public services, and policies addressing inequality relate to trust and democratic participation.
The project includes academic, NGO, and Trade Union partners across eight countries, each focusing on a specific group. In Ireland, Focus Ireland examines the experiences of lone parents, who are especially vulnerable to poverty and homelessness. The organisation also convened lone parents to co-produce policy recommendations on childcare and housing. Read the report here Homelessness Research And Insights – Focus Ireland