For how long? 

“The question is no longer how bad things are, but how long this will be allowed to continue” 

Dublin, 24th of April 2026: With the numbers living in emergency accommodation increasing again and countless people struggling with worsening cost of living and tenancy pressures, those in power are being urged to recognise the scale of suffering across the country. 

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said, “Given the growing pressures on the system, unfortunately, there’s no surprise. At this point, it’s clear that the Government has not delivered a solution. For years, this crisis has been allowed to spiral out of control. Instead of concrete solutions, we are seeing more catalysts pushing people into homelessness. Be it the increases in notices of termination from those in private rental sector, or the number who are voluntarily leaving Direct Provision system to stay in place, the Government’s own policies are driving people towards emergency accommodation. A few strokes of a pen have taken roofs from over people’s heads. Those in power must recognise the consequences of their actions. In order to meaningfully respond to this crisis, they must address the causes, whether new or old, which are driving people into homelessness.” 

“We cannot forget that each month we discuss figures, we are talking about real people’s lives. We are talking about parents, sons, daughters, and even grandparents. It has grown into a generational crisis, with no one single cause. People from all walks of life can end up without a place to call home for a variety of reasons. It is because of this that solving this crisis requires a multifaceted approach. We know what the solutions are, the whole sector has been urging the government with very specific asks, but the action is too slow compared to the pressures.” 

The number of people living in emergency accommodation continues to rise

The latest data from the Department of Housing confirms 17,517 individuals are now in emergency accommodation nationwide. 12,465 were recorded in Dublin, representing a staggering 13% year-on-year increase.  
 

The latest report also includes 1,866 families and 4,118 children living in emergency accommodation in Dublin. Rising figures are sad to see but don’t tell the full story. They 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.

Kenny said: “Since 2014, month after month, we have been talking about rising homelessness figures. For 12 years, we’ve been watching growing numbers, asking for sustainable solutions, and perhaps losing sight of the fact that there are human beings in real suffering. Imagine not only having to sleep out in the cold but carrying the weight of how you got there with you. Not only lacking a roof over you but lacking the hope that things will get better. The question is no longer how bad things are, but how long this will be allowed to continue. In another 12 years’ time, we cannot still be here, reporting rising figures and saying that no meaningful action has been taken. We need to respond to the emergency unravelling before us before it is too late.”