Ireland needs to prioritize addressing its housing crisis more effectively.
The homelessness crisis in Ireland has reached alarming levels, with the latest figures showing a record high of 15,915 people, including nearly 5,000 children, in emergency accommodation as of June 2025 [1][2][3]. This represents a 104% increase in those aged over 65 experiencing homelessness since 2020.
The crisis has become a key political and social issue in the lead-up to the upcoming elections, scheduled for Friday, 29 November, as Prime Minister Simon Harris announced [4]. Government responses and promises on housing are likely to influence voter priorities, with charities like Focus Ireland and the Simon Communities demanding urgent government action, highlighting the human cost to families and children [1][3][4].
Sinn Féin politician Mr. Pat Sheehan is advocating for a referendum on a right to housing as a driving force for policy changes to address homelessness. He believes a minister of state with responsibility for homelessness could drive and implement cross-departmental action to tackle homelessness [5]. Another key aspect, according to Mr. Sheehan, is a significant increase in the delivery of social homes, which he believes would be a more affordable option for families who can't afford high rents in the private sector [6].
Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien, on the other hand, states that increased housing supply will be the solution to homelessness [7]. Alan Barrett, Director of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), blames historic underinvestment for the housing supply shortage [8].
The majority of people recorded as homeless were based in Dublin, with the next highest number in Cork, where 183 children and 549 adults were in emergency accommodation [9]. In the Southwest region (Cork and Kerry), 183 children were said to be homeless [10].
The government's proposed solutions mainly revolve around new housing and renting policies. A new plan beyond the 2021 "Housing for All," which targets 2030, is expected but not yet detailed. Recently, a no-fault eviction ban for large landlords and rent restrictions tied to rent pressure zones have been introduced, but these take effect from early 2026 and not immediately [4]. Meanwhile, the Tenant in-Situ scheme, which helped prevent homelessness, has sharply declined this year due to exhausted budgets [4].
In summary, Ireland faces a growing homelessness crisis with planned legislative steps only partially enacted and a new strategic plan awaited. The issue is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming elections as voters demand stronger interventions.
- The crisis in Irish homelessness has turned into a critical political and social concern for upcoming elections, particularly due to the promised government actions on housing being influential on voter priorities.
- Sinn Féin politician, Mr. Pat Sheehan, advocates for a referendum on a right to housing as a means to drive policy changes to address homelessness, proposing a minister of state with responsibility for homelessness and an increase in social housing delivery.
- The proposed government solutions for the homelessness crisis mainly focus on new housing and renting policies, with a new plan scheduled for 2030 beyond the 2021 "Housing for All" initiative, yet to be detailed.
