10th September 2025
The Simon Communities of Ireland today welcomed the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD’s announcement of an additional €50 million for targeted housing acquisitions to move larger families with children and out of long-term emergency accommodation.
This positive step follows ongoing advocacy led by the Simon Communities of Ireland and partners across the homelessness and housing sector. Having consistently called for targeted acquisitions, particularly larger homes and emphasised the need for a clear focus on families clients in long-term emergency accommodation.
As a result of persistent campaigning and continued engagement with the government by the Simon Communities of Ireland, this funding will directly benefit people accessing homeless services who have been affected by long-term homelessness by accelerating move-in dates, matching families to suitably sized homes, and providing the stability needed to rebuild their lives.
Under the measure, funding will be directed to the eight city and county councils with the highest numbers of long-term cases, with a particular focus on acquiring four-bedroom homes.
Ber Grogan, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said:
“This is exactly the kind of targeted action we have tirelessly pushed for alongside colleagues across the sector, and it will change children’s lives. Prioritising families who have spent the longest time in emergency accommodation, and ensuring access to larger, four-bedroom homes is the right focus. Every day a child spends in emergency accommodation is a day too many. This funding must translate into keys in doors as quickly as possible. The Simon Community teams are ready to work with local authorities to identify suitable properties, support rapid purchases, and provide the wraparound services that make tenancies work for families.
Ideally, this additional 50m would be new funding and not taken from previously announced funding. However, in order to tackle homelessness, we do need to see ringfenced and targeted interventions. We hope to see much more of this in Budget 2026 and are calling on all Government Ministers to play their part in ending long-term homelessness in Ireland.”
To ensure rapid delivery, Simon is urging publication of local targets and timelines so progress can be tracked and funding moved quickly where needed. They have also called for set-aside capacity and faster processes to buy larger homes; the staff and services needed to keep tenancies stable such as case management, mental health, addiction and child supports and strong prevention so families don’t enter or re-enter emergency accommodation.
The Simon Communities of Ireland is a network of local services providing housing, homelessness prevention, emergency accommodation, and health and social supports grounded in Housing First and housing-led solutions. The Simon Communities’ annual Simon Week takes place from 22–26 September.
ENDS
For further information contact Claire O’Flynn on 01 644 9700/ claire@communicationsclinic.ie or contact Aoibhín Russell on 086 832 2410 or aoibhin@communicationsclinic.ie
