Homelessness in Ireland has reached an unprecedented and deeply alarming level. As of March 2026, there are 17,517 people living in emergency accommodation comprising 11,946 adults and 5,571 children, which is the highest number ever recorded. This figure represents a staggering 2,099 more than the same time last year, when 15,418 people were in emergency accommodation in March 2025.
It is important to note that these official figures do not include individuals experiencing hidden homelessness: those living in a range of circumstances such as couch-surfing, staying with relatives, sleeping in cars/workplaces, staying overnight at cafés or living in overcrowded or hidden locations. Our Under the Radar research report found that there could be an estimated 24,180 households experiencing hidden homelessness across Ireland. Of those accessing emergency accommodation, several groups continue to be disproportionately affected:
- Single adults make up 42% (7,445) of this population
- Among all adults, 60% (7,137) are men
- Young adults aged 18-24 account for 18% (2,108) of adults and have seen a 17% rise from the same period last year
- Despite representing just 2% (279) of all adults accessing emergency accommodation, over 65s are the fastest growing age cohort, with a 19% year on-year increase.
- There has been a 20% increase in families accessing emergency accommodation (447 families) compared to the previous year.
The primary driver of this crisis remains evictions from the private rental sector, particularly in the Dublin area.3 Despite Ireland’s commitment under the Lisbon Declaration to end homelessness by 2030, current trends show we are moving further away from that goal. Without urgent and targeted measures in Budget 2027, there is a real risk of normalising these record-high levels of homelessness instead of ending it.
