Focus Ireland urges Government to make more effective use of available social housing to reduce homelessness as numbers remain at a record high of 17,308
Charity calls for Govt to set deadline for HAP review as eviction notices shot up 41% in last quarter of 2025
New Department of Housing figures for February 2026 show 17,308 people are homeless, including 5,457 children across 2,609 families. This is up 196 on the previous month and 13% percent higher than a year ago, with child homelessness up 17% since February 2025.
Focus Ireland said the Government must ensure its forthcoming “Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan” will deliver faster exits from homelessness and practical supports that reduce the long-term harm of homelessness, especially for children. The charity has also repeatedly warned that rental reforms which allow rents to reset to market levels will trap more families in homelessness unless HAP is urgently adjusted to reflect real rents.
Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland, said: “It is heartbreaking to see homelessness stuck at a 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. Our submission to the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan sets out practical steps the Government can take now.”
He adds: “We need to ensure that the welcome increase in social housing supply is being used effectively to reduce homelessness, particularly for long -term homeless families. That means giving real priority in allocations to those who are most in need. This measure would shorten the time that children spend in emergency accommodation .”
Explaining the issues with the Housing Assistant Payment, (HAP) Mr Dennigan said: ‘The 41% increase in private rental evictions in the last quarter of 2025, reported by the RTB, highlights the urgency of Government action on out-date HAP levels. Many evicted households will be in receipt of HAP and will find it impossible to secure new rental housing unless HAP is increased to reflect market rents.’’
He added: “Without this change, the private rented sector cannot play its part in preventing and ending homelessness under the new rental rules. We welcome the Minister’s commitment to a HAP review, and we urge Cabinet to set a clear timeline and deliver the changes alongside the rental reforms.”
Mr Dennigan set out two further immediate priorities to protect families and reduce harm to children.
“Additionally, the Government should relaunch and properly fund Tenant in Situ so that families facing no -fault evictions in older tenancies and in smaller landlord situations are protected. Guidance must encourage proactive use rather than treat it as a last resort. Arbitrary conditions that limit access should be removed so households can be kept in their homes and scarce emergency accommodation costs can be avoided.”
He adds: “Every child in homelessness who needs one should have timely access to a Child Support Worker. This reduces stress on parents, helps children cope and improves a family’s ability to secure a permanent home.”