Promise of Future Family Homelessness Plan Offers Little Relief Today, Says Dublin Simon

While welcoming Family and Child homelessness framework, Dublin Simon has noted lack of targeted response for Dublin area.

Dublin 6th of October: Dublin Simon Community has expressed deep disappointment that Budget 2027 falls short of the ambitious housing and homelessness response required, with limited new measures that would materially increase housing supply or reduce the number of households entering homelessness. While the Government has indicated that a Family and Child Homelessness Framework will be published in the coming weeks, Dublin Simon said that the absence of any concrete measures within Budget 2027 itself is a significant missed opportunity. With record levels of family homelessness and increasing pressure on services, the charity believes that action is needed now rather than further commitments to future plans and frameworks.

While welcoming the allocation of more than €9.1 billion in capital investment for housing, including just over €3 billion for social housing delivery, the charity noted that the Budget lacks a targeted response for the greater Dublin area, where homelessness pressures remain most acute.

Dublin Simon notes the modest increase in homelessness funding for 2027. While maintaining funding for homelessness services is important, the scale of the increase does not reflect the growing demand being experienced across the sector. And while the increased support of €150 for renters reflects the reality of rising rental costs, it is disappointing that a similar acknowledgement was not extended to HAP recipients through the publication of the HAP review and a roadmap to ensure housing supports keep pace with actual market rents. At a time of record homelessness, greater investment is needed in prevention, tenancy sustainment, Housing First expansion, and the health and addiction supports that many people require to secure and sustain a home. Without a stronger focus on these measures, there is a risk that resources will continue to be concentrated on managing homelessness rather than reducing it.

Without a significant increase in housing delivery and a stronger focus on prevention, the number of people in emergency accommodation could continue to rise towards 20,000. The charity called on the Government to move beyond managing homelessness and to implement the measures needed to reduce homelessness substantially and permanently.

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said, “The commitment to publish a Family and Child Homelessness Framework in the coming weeks signals recognition of a growing problem, but in the absence of dedicated funding or immediate policy measures, it offers little reassurance to the thousands of families currently affected by homelessness.

What is missing from Budget 2027 is the level of housing delivery and targeted action needed to match the scale of the crisis, particularly in Dublin where demand is greatest. We cannot accept another year of rising homelessness. The focus must now be on delivering more homes, preventing homelessness before it occurs, and ensuring people have access to the supports they need to move out of homelessness for good.”

The charity recognises the increased funding in the Department of Health. However, it has called for clarity on funding for its Health and Addiction Care Facility (HACF) at Usher’s Island, where 25 treatment beds remain idle after 2 years of operations, leaving it operating at 75% capacity. The HACF is the first of its kind in the country and is actively reducing pressure on the rest of the health service. It is a lifesaving service that must be funded to operate at full capacity.

While Budget announcements today signal monetary value in 2027, Dublin Simon will continue to call for specific plans and strategies for investment, particularly in prevention, housing delivery in Dublin and treatment investment.

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Media queries 

Marcus Heagney
Senior PR & Communications Executive
Email: marcusheagney@dubsimon.ie
Phone: +353 86 815 0255