Press Releases
Focus Ireland Press Releases provide the very latest information issued to media outlets.
Our most up-to-date releases in relation to homelessness and housing can be viewed below.
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
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 launches new five-year strategy which will deliver 1,000 additional homes to help tackle the crisis
Focus Ireland today launched its new Joint Strategic Plan 2026 to 2030, Turning the Tide on Homelessness, setting 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
Focus Ireland calls for greater Govt urgency to complete its HAP review to help ease crisis as homelessness rises to a new record level of 17,112
New figures from the Department of Housing reveal that a record 17,112 people were homeless in January, including 5,319 children across 2,555 families. This represents a 378 rise in the number homeless from December and a 12% increase over the past year, with child homelessness shooting up by 16% in the same period.
Homeless figures down to 16,734 but year ends as worst on record for rising homelessness
New figures published today by the Department of Housing show a very welcome decrease of 262 people in homelessness in December 2025, bringing the total number of people who are homeless to 16,734 . The month also saw 133 fewer children and 47 fewer families recorded as homeless compared with November (5,188 children and 2,478 families for December 2025). However, the charity urged caution, noting that the December figures typically fall as more people can briefly stay with their wider family over Christmas.
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 Launches Powerful “Journey Home” Photo Exhibition in Limerick Showcasing Voices of People with Lived Experience of Homelessness
The Mayor of Limerick John Moran today (Dec 3rd) officially opened the Focus Ireland Journey Home exhibition which showcases powerful photographs and stories from people with lived experience of homelessness. The exhibition runs at the Limerick City Gallery of Art, Carnegie Building, Pery Square in the city from 2pm Wed Dec 3rd until Jan 4th as part of Focus Ireland's events to mark our 40th Anniversary.