Homeless figures break 17,500 mark

17,527 people were confirmed to be in homeless accommodation by the Department of Housing in the most recent round of figures.

The figure is a rise from the 17,482 people confirmed to be in homeless accommodation by the Department of Housing in the most recent round of figures.

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, are children, up from the previous figure of 5620.

12,298 people were confirmed to be homeless in Dublin, a drop from the previous figure of 12,417

When the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/independents government took office in January 2025, the figure stood at 15,286 people in homeless accommodation nationwide.

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.

Sociologists note that homeless figures only record people who are availaing of homeless accomodation, and do not count “invisible” homelessness such as people sleeping on couches at family and friends’ house, or people sleeping in cars.