“Record homelessness reaches new high as housing and migration debate intensifies”

Ireland’s homelessness crisis reached a new record level in November 2025, with almost 17,000 people living in State-funded emergency accommodation, according to figures published by the Department of Housing. The total included 11,675 adults and 5,321 children, marking the highest number of homeless children recorded since official counts began.

The latest data show the number of homeless children increased by approximately 600 over the past year, intensifying pressure on the Government to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing. The figures do not include people who are sofa-surfing or those living in accommodation provided through the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).

Housing charities described the statistics as deeply concerning. Focus Ireland said the figures demonstrated a continued failure of housing policy, warning that emergency accommodation had become a long-term substitute for permanent housing rather than a short-term response.

The rising numbers have also fed into political debate around migration. Tánaiste Simon Harris told RTÉ that migrants accessing emergency accommodation without an established “housing right” had contributed to the increase. Campaigners strongly rejected that assessment, arguing that recognised refugees and non-EEA workers are legally entitled to housing supports and that the primary driver of homelessness remains the shortage of social and affordable homes.

Official breakdowns show that single adults account for around 63 per cent of those in emergency accommodation, highlighting the scale of demand in the private rental sector. Housing organisations have repeatedly warned that reliance on private rentals, combined with rising rents and limited supply, has left increasing numbers of people unable to secure long-term accommodation.

Charities are urging the Government to accelerate social-housing construction and reduce dependence on emergency accommodation, warning that without structural reform the numbers are likely to continue rising.