Government urged to seize the moment to fund 25 empty beds at Dublin Simon HACF as Dublin homeless figures rise 8% year on year
Dublin Simon Community calls for immediate action as latest figures present opportunity to expand proven specialist services at Usher’s Island Health and Addiction Care Facility.
Dublin, 31st of July 2026: Dublin Simon Community is urging the Government to fund the solutions that combat homelessness as Dublin figures rise 8% year on year. The organisation wants to see investment in solutions that are proven to help people emerge from homelessness and fulfilling the commitment to fund the remaining 25 beds at Health and Addiction Care Facility at Usher’s Island is the way to start.
The latest data from the Department of Housing confirms 17,482 individuals are now in emergency accommodation nationwide, marking a small increase on the previous month. 12,318 were recorded in Dublin, an 8% year-on-year increase.
The charity says that every available resource must be used to its full potential. According to Dublin Simon, one of the most proven and value-for-money actions available is already in place but has empty rooms: fully funding all 100 beds at the Health and Addiction Care Facility at Usher’s Island.
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said, “There are signs that homeless figures are beginning to level off. Whether this will lead to a decline down the line or a seasonal variation remains to be seen. The reality is that we are still in a situation where over 17,000 people are still stuck in emergency accommodation, without a place to call home. These people need the backing of those in power to help them overcome the injustice of homelessness. The Government must invest in the services that are known to work in preventing homelessness.”
“We are aware of the immense pressures on emergency accommodation, hospitals, emergency departments and homelessness services. We also know that some of the people who need support most urgently require far more than a standard emergency accommodation response. Usher’s Island was designed specifically to meet those complex needs. It brings healthcare, addiction treatment and residential support together in one specialist facility. Yet 25 of its 100 beds remain unavailable because the facility is not fully funded. At full capacity, the facility could save up to 36,500 inpatient hospital bed days each year through reduced admissions and improved health outcomes.”
Kenny added, “Since opening the facility nearly two years ago at reduced capacity, we have been able to support over 900 people experiencing homelessness and addiction to move forward with their lives. The model has proven to be successful. However, as beds remain empty, every night 25 people are deprived of support because the committed funding has not been provided.
“Last week, I wrote to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers for Health and requested the remaining funding, which was promised when the facility was conceived. Now is the time to make the necessary investments in Budget 2027 in the various services, be they in housing, health or social care, that will enable us to move forward, continue to see homeless figures decline and bring about the end of homelessness entirely.”
The latest report also includes 1,863 families and 4,102 children living in emergency accommodation in Dublin. These figures don’t account for those rough sleeping, in insecure accommodation, in domestic violence shelters, or those in hidden homelessness (people sleeping in tents, cars, on couches). Nor do they include people seeking international protection, who follow a separate accommodation pathway through IPAS.
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For media queries, please contact
Marcus Heagney
Position: Senior Communications and Public Relations Executive
Email: marcusheagney@dubsimon.ie
Phone: +353 86 815 0255