Focus Ireland calls on Government to take more urgent action to tackle homelessness as numbers hit another record high of 17,517

New Department of Housing figures issued today for March 2026 show yet another record total of 17,517 people are now homeless.

This includes 5,571 children across 2,659 families.

This is an increase of 209 people on the previous month and a sharp 14% rise since last year ago, with child homelessness up 19% since March 2025.

Focus Ireland has called for more urgent action on the deepening crisis.  The charity said that one action the Government could take right away is to ensure more families and individuals who are long-term homeless are given access to a significant portion of social housing as it becomes available. This would help reduce the impact and trauma of homelessness – especially on children and families.

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan stressed that homelessness can be ended with the right approach.  He said: “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.”

These latest figures come following Focus Ireland launching its new Joint Strategic Plan 2026 to 2030, Turning the Tide on Homelessness earlier this week.  The strategy sets out how the organisation will expand the delivery of secure, affordable homes and strengthen prevention and support services for people who are homeless and those at risk of losing their homes.

As part of the strategy, Focus Ireland and Focus Housing will acquire or construct 1,000 additional homes over the next five years, increasing Focus Ireland’s housing stock to around 2,700 well maintained and insulated homes by 2030.

Alongside housing delivery, the strategy sets clear service commitments. Over the five years of the plan, Focus Ireland aims to support 1,930 households out of homelessness into secure new tenancies, while its tenancy sustainment services are projected to support 1,750 at risk households each year.

Mr. Dennigan said: “Our new strategy sets out what Focus Ireland will deliver over the next five years, including 1,000 additional homes and stronger supports to prevent homelessness and help people to secure a home. Homelessness has more than doubled since our last strategy began in early 2021, and it is now vital that Government shows far greater urgency in easing this human crisis.”

He concluded: “Focus Ireland will continue to work collaboratively with Government, local authorities, and other NGOs in the sector as we must all redouble our efforts to make real headway to turn the tide on homelessness, so we see the figures coming down in the coming months and years ahead.”

Media contact:  Roughan Mac Namara – Focus Ireland Head of Communications Ph 086 8515 117