Focus Ireland warns that the Government’s new housing plan must start to deliver in 2026 as homelessness rises to another record of 16,996

• Charity says it is heartbreaking that a record 5,321 children started this New Year in emergency accommodation

New figures from the Department of Housing reveal that a record 16,996 people were homeless in November, including 5,321 children across 2,525 families. This represents a 230 rise in the number homeless from October and a 12% increase over the past year, with child homelessness surging by 14% in the same period.  (Family homelessness shot up 16% in the same period since Nov 2024)

Focus Ireland’s Head of Media Communications, Roughan Mac Namara, described the situation as “heartbreaking,” highlighting that 5,321 children have started the new year as homeless—many for the second or third time in emergency accommodation. “Children who are homeless are having their childhoods stolen one day at a time. This is wrong and we can – and must – end this human crisis,” he said.

Mac Namara stressed that the New Year should be a time of hope and called for urgent action to help those in emergency accommodation, particularly children. While Focus Ireland welcomed the Government’s new housing strategy, he emphasised that its success would be measured by tangible results, not promises.  He said: “We need to see urgent action such as steps to fast-track delivery of more one- and four-bedroom homes to speed up exits from homelessness for families and individuals, alongside prioritising new social housing for those most in need.”

Commenting on the Government’s “Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030” plan, Mac Namara stressed the need for deadlines and milestones. Focus Ireland previously criticised the removal of annual targets, urging for clear goals and timely action to address homelessness.

Meanwhile, Focus Ireland’s most recent Focus on Homelessness report launched last month showed record spending on homelessness, but claimed funding favours emergency accommodation over prevention and long-term housing.* The charity warned that without better resource allocation, homelessness will keep rising.

Focus Ireland also noted a sharp drop in exits from homelessness to private rentals, calling it highly concerning. With social housing supply lagging far behind the shrinking rental sector, Focus Ireland argued for more social homes, greater support for those in long-term homelessness, and improved access to affordable private rental accommodation.

*The report found that over the past decade (2015–2024), €1.9bn has been spent on homelessness in Dublin.  Link Homelessness in Dublin accounts for nearly 70% of all homelessness in Ireland, new Focus on Homelessness report reveals – Focus Ireland

Media contact: Roughan Mac Namara 086 85 15 117