Over 17,000 people were availing of homeless accommodation in Ireland in February, the highest figure since records began.
17,517 people were confirmed to be in homeless accommodation by the Department of Housing in the most recent round of figures.
The figure is an increase from the 17,308 people figure for February 2026.
March 2026 was the first month in which controversial rent rules were implemented, with critics arguing erodes tenants’ rights and prevent tenants from attaining long-term security.
Of the figure, 5,571 are children, up from 4,457 in the last round of figures.
12,465 people were confirmed to be homeless in Dublin.
When the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/independents government took office in January 2025, the figure stood at 15,286 people.
The figures mark a dramatic increase from May 2016, when the 32nd Dáil met for the first time, when 6,189 people were in homeless accommodation.
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said “given the growing pressures on the system, unfortunately, there’s no surprise at the figures.”
“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,” Kenny said.
Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne remarked, “almost six years on from the Coalition’s first combined housing plan, Housing for All, the number of children in homelessness has more than doubled, yet Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael shout from the rafters that they’re doing a good job in housing.”
“Today’s damning figures are a direct result of government policies, particularly the rent regulations introduced on March 1st, the lead up to which saw a dramatic increase in evictions, the likes of which have not been seen since the famine – Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have incentivised landlords across Ireland to evict their tenants.”
“Housing Minister James Browne’s tolerance for record-high homelessness has cemented his position as the Minister for Evictions and Homelessness,” Hearne remarked.