Dublin Simon Community says latest homeless figures expose urgent need for dedicated Dublin homelessness strategy
- Seven in every ten people in emergency accommodation in Ireland are based in Dublin
Dublin, 28 August 2026: Confirmation that the number of people living in emergency accommodation has risen once again highlights the urgent need for a dedicated homelessness strategy for the capital, according to Dublin Simon Community.
The latest data from the Department of Housing shows that 17,527 people are now living in emergency accommodation nationwide, with 12,298 in Dublin, representing a 6% year-on-year increase.
Dublin Simon Community has urged the Government to develop a dedicated strategy to address the scale and specific challenges of homelessness in Dublin. Although Dublin accounts for approximately 28% of the State’s population, around 70% of people experiencing homelessness and living in emergency accommodation are based in the city, underlining the need for a targeted and proportionate response.
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said: “Dublin is carrying a completely disproportionate share of the homelessness crisis, with approximately seven in every ten people in emergency accommodation here. We are calling for a dedicated Dublin homelessness strategy as a matter of urgency. We need a coordinated response that brings housing, health, addiction and social care together, and gives people a realistic pathway out of homelessness.”
Ms Kenny added: “At present, many essential services are operating alongside one another rather than as part of a fully integrated system. A Dublin strategy would bring Government departments, local authorities, healthcare providers, approved housing bodies and frontline homelessness organisations together around clear objectives and measurable outcomes.”
Ms Kenny said any strategy must include a major increase in the delivery of social and affordable housing, alongside targeted health and addiction supports for people experiencing homelessness. “The plan should establish clear and measurable targets for reducing homelessness, particularly long-term homelessness, with regular monitoring and transparent reporting to ensure that progress can be assessed and that Government remains accountable for delivering on its commitments.
“Homelessness is not simply a housing issue. Many people living in emergency accommodation have complex physical health, mental health or addiction needs. Unless those needs are addressed alongside housing, people can remain trapped in homelessness for far too long.” she said. “That is why specialist services such as those provided at our Health and Addiction Care Facility at Usher’s Island must form part of a wider, coordinated response.”
The Usher’s Island facility provides specialist detoxification, recovery, stabilisation, step-up and step-down care, as well as treatment and support for blood-borne viruses.
Ms Kenny said: “We cannot continue to accept ever-rising homelessness figures as inevitable. A new Dublin strategy would give us an opportunity to reset the response and establish clear accountability.
“Thousands of people are currently living in limbo. A coordinated strategy must be focused ultimately on one outcome: helping people leave homelessness behind and move into secure, permanent homes.”
In addition to a dedicated Dublin homelessness strategy, Dublin Simon Community is calling on the Government and local authorities to:
- prioritise housing allocations for people experiencing long-term homelessness and living in emergency accommodation;
- accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing;
- introduce a cross-departmental framework recognising homelessness as a complex housing, health and social care crisis;
- set clear, measurable targets for reducing the number of people in emergency accommodation.
For media queries, please contact
Marcus Heagney
Position: Senior Communications and Public Relations Executive
Email: marcusheagney@dubsimon.ie
Phone: +353 86 815 0255