Homelessness breaches 16,000 in Ireland. Figures nearly double in only four years
Dublin Simon Community is calling on the Government to adequately respond to homelessness in the new housing plan. Number in emergency accommodation is almost double what it was upon announcement of the last housing plan in 2021. Will the new plan deliver solutions this time?
Dublin, 29th August 2025: As the Government is poised to publish its new housing plan in early Autumn the number of people in emergency accommodation nationally has increased by almost 100% since the publication of its predecessor ‘Housing for All’. Dublin Simon Community is calling on the Government to double its own efforts to adequately respond to homelessness in the new housing plan to prevent the figure from snowballing further.
Figures published at the end of August 2021, found that 8,132 people were living in emergency accommodation nationwide. Days later a new national housing plan was published, which contained measures designed to curb the rise in homelessness. Four years on, as the next housing plan is due to be announced, the homeless number today published has skyrocketed to 16,058.
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community said, “Today’s landmark numbers are a travesty. Every single man, woman and child behind these frightful numbers has been robbed of a sense of stability of a place to call home. The numbers reflect the demand placed on Dublin Simon emergency and frontline services. Our services are seeing increases in demand for support, particularly in the capital where 72% of homeless need prevails.
She continued, “September 2025 must be remembered as the moment Ireland turned the tide on homelessness. With emergency accommodation already at breaking point, this new housing plan must be more than words on paper — it has to deliver real, lasting change. That means scaling up social and affordable housing, investing in prevention measures to keep people in their homes, and providing long-term pathways out of homelessness. This is our chance to make history and build a future where everyone has a safe place to call home.”
Latest figures
The latest data from the Department of Housing confirms 16,058 individuals now in emergency accommodation nationwide. 11,567 were recorded in Dublin, representing a staggering 10% year-on-year increase.
The latest report also includes 1,648 families and 3,719 children living in emergency accommodation in Dublin, a figure that does not even account for those rough sleeping, in insecure accommodation, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those in hidden homelessness—people sleeping in tents, cars, on couches, or in unsuitable living conditions.
Kenny added, “It is clear that the last housing plan did not deliver real change for people experiencing homelessness. With so many more now facing these struggles, the soon-to-be published plan must address the issues that are leaving thousands of people without a place to call home. It is time for the Government to take this crisis seriously. It is not acceptable to continue to let the situation spiral out of control.”
Dublin Simon Community Asks of Government:
- Prioritise social and affordable housing supply: Increase supply until it reaches at least 20% of the national housing stock, with a minimum of 20% of allocations reserved for people experiencing long-term homelessness, sized appropriately to their needs.
- Resource the AHB sector adequately: Recognise that Local Authorities and AHBs deliver 75% of homes for those exiting homelessness. Fund both large development-focused AHBs and smaller, niche providers to ensure diversity, quality, and volume.
- Reform capital funding models: Review and update the guidelines for capital funding models for the provision of social housing by AHBs.
- Expedite planning processes: Remove red tape slowing down the delivery of vital social housing projects.