Dublin, 2nd of January 2025: The thousands trapped in emergency accommodation will be hoping to see their fortunes change in 2026. Yet the highest homeless figures of all time show the homelessness crisis will continue to deteriorate without concrete action. Dublin Simon Community is calling on those in power to finally tackle the problem of homelessness with the necessary tenacity to turn the crisis around.       

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said, “As we mark the beginning of a new year, we must face the homelessness crisis with renewed energy. We cannot allow the situation to worsen for yet another year. It is incomprehensible that we have gotten to the point where this many people are trapped in emergency accommodation. We must put an end to record-breaking statistics and deliver workable solutions for the human beings whose lives have been upturned.”  

Latest figures 

The latest data from the Department of Housing confirms 16,996 individuals are now in emergency accommodation nationwide. 12,143 were recorded in Dublin, representing a staggering 11% year-on-year increase.  

The latest report also includes 1,787 families and 3,929 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, “Just before Christmas, we were able to give a number of our clients keys to their forever homes. Words cannot describe what this moment meant to them. For many, this represented years of struggling come to an end. At long last, they found a piece of stability. We want every person currently stuck in emergency accommodation to have this same feeling, to know that the nightmare has finally come to an end. The Government must address the ever-swelling numbers in emergency accommodation. This can be achieved through collaboration with approved housing bodies to deliver the social housing that is so badly needed. Every person deserves the safety, stability and dignity of a place to call home.” 

Dublin Simon Community is calling on Government and local authorities to; prioritise immediate housing allocations for long-term emergency residents;  accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes in line with the national strategy; introduce a coordinated, cross-departmental framework to tackle homelessness as the multi-layered crisis it is.