In 2025, homelessness has continued to grow at an alarming rate, driven by a chronic shortage of social housing following years of undersupply and a private rental sector characterised by unaffordability and instability. The worsening crisis is further compounded by recent estimates from the Housing Commission, which indicate that Ireland is currently grappling with a housing deficit of approximately 235,000 homes.
To meaningfully address this shortfall, future housing delivery must be more ambitious. The Simon Communities of Ireland emphasise that Government, in its deliberations for Budget 2026, must reflect the scale of the challenge by allocating sufficient funding to support the commitments to homelessness services, social housing construction, and homelessness prevention measures.
Without an emergency response that includes urgent and sustained investment across departments, the Government risks entrenching homelessness further and missing its target to end homelessness by 2030. Budget 2026 must reflect a renewed urgency and follow-through on the commitments made in the Programme for Government.
With the number of adults, families, and children accessing emergency accommodation at an all-time high, Budget 2026 presents a timely opportunity for this new Government to show that it cares about ending homelessness.
