6th October 2026
“Today’s Budget has announced some welcome funding for social housing. While some of the €2.2bn will support the “social housing needs of 110,000 households,” it will also cover investment in emergency supports for those facing homelessness. We’re looking forward to learning the specifics in due course. However, we are disappointed that there’s been no mention of the Child and Family Homeless Action Plan.
Overall, this budget delivers more money into the pockets of workers and landlords, but for people experiencing homelessness, the reality is that having a job does not necessarily mean having a home.
Simon Communities across Ireland are seeing increasing numbers of people accessing services who are in employment, highlighting a growing gap between having an income and being able to afford a secure place to live. Work should provide a route out of poverty and homelessness. Increasingly, for too many people, it does not.
A particularly disappointing announcement today is the increase of the Help-to-Buy Scheme from €30,000 per year to €35,000 per year. At a time when so many people are struggling to access and afford a home, we have to question whether this is the best use of additional State support when it risks further inflating house prices and ultimately benefiting developers.
Between July 2020 and July 2026, the Help-To-Buy Scheme was availed of by 49,000 people. This additional €5,000 would equate to an increase of €245 million euro in funding for this scheme. Imagine the difference that money would make on homelessness prevention. There are currently 17,885 people, including 5,830 children living in homelessness. This is unacceptable in 2026, especially when so much State support is available.
Today’s Budget needed to address single adult homelessness, and the reality that people can be working, earning a wage and still unable to afford a home. Until we tackle the underlying affordability crisis, we will continue to see people pushed into homelessness despite being in employment.”
Finally, after two consecutive Budgets with no mention of the word homelessness, this year, Minister Chambers mentioned it not one, not two, but three times. Does that mean that we should remain hopeful of action to end homelessness during 2027?”
Ends
For further information contact Aileen Gaskin 086 166 2160 / communications@simoncommunity.com
