24th August 2026
18th Annual Simon Week Launched by Former RTÉ Newsreader Eileen Dunne
With more than 17,000 people experiencing homelessness in Ireland, the Simon Communities of Ireland today launched Simon Week 2026 (21 to 25 September) calling for One Big Push to end single adult homelessness by 2030.
At the centre of Simon Week is ‘Homeless & Alone: One Big Push’, a campaign highlighting the reality that almost two-thirds of adults experiencing homelessness are facing it alone. The campaign calls for a national commitment to ensure single adults are no longer overlooked in housing policy and homelessness responses, while accelerating progress towards ending homelessness by 2030.
Five years after Ireland signed the Lisbon Declaration and committed to ending homelessness by 2030, homelessness has reached its highest level on record. The number of single adults experiencing homelessness has risen from 4,497 five years ago to 7,288 today. The Simon Communities of Ireland is calling for urgent action, with a focus on proven housing-led solutions, sustained political commitment and long-term investment to achieve the 2030 target.
Now in its 18th year, Simon Week will also mark the launch of the first-ever national fundraising campaign across the Simon Communities of Ireland, bringing the local Simon Communities together behind one national appeal to support people experiencing homelessness. Simon Week is proudly supported by Cash & Carry Kitchens and will culminate in a national conference taking place in Dublin on Thursday, 24 September 2026, hosted by former RTE newsreader Eileen Dunne.
Speaking at the launch of Simon Week 2026, Ber Grogan, Executive Director of Simon Communities of Ireland, said:
“Almost two-thirds of all adults are facing homelessness alone and we want to fix it. Behind every statistic is someone whose life has been put on hold – a person sleeping rough, moving from hostel to hostel, or spending months in emergency accommodation while waiting for the stability that most of us take for granted.
Through our ‘Homeless & Alone: One Big Push’ campaign, we are asking Government, policymakers and communities to come together behind a single ambition – ending single adult homelessness by 2030. We want to see a focus on the solutions required to end homelessness, including housing-led responses, long-term investment, and coordinated action across government and communities.
Five years ago, Ireland signed the Lisbon Declaration and committed to ending homelessness by 2030. Today, with fewer than four years remaining, homelessness is at its highest level on record. Five years ago, there were 4,497 single adults living in homelessness. Today, that figure has risen to 7,288.
The EU Presidency presents an opportunity to deliver the One Big Push needed to end homelessness. We will not end homelessness if we continue to exclude the largest cohort of people experiencing homelessness from delivery action plans and priority resourcing. We must ensure that people experiencing homelessness receive the support they need today while building a future where homelessness is prevented and ended. Achieving this will require sustained political commitment, increased delivery of affordable and social housing, and continued investment in the services that support people every day.”
Throughout the week, Simon Communities of Ireland is inviting policymakers, service providers, communities and the public to join the conversation and help deliver the One Big Push needed to end homelessness by 2030.
Simon Week Conference
As Ireland holds the EU Presidency, this year’s conference is the flagship event of the ‘Homeless & Alone: One Big Push’ campaign, and will focus on how Ireland can use its leadership role to improve outcomes for people who are experiencing homelessness alone in Ireland and across Europe.
The conference will also examine the links between health and homelessness, Housing First, affordable housing, and the policy changes needed to achieve the goal of ending homelessness. It will bring together Irish MEPs, Government representatives, European housing experts and policymakers including:
- Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne TD
- Ruth Owen, Deputy Director, FEANTSA
- Rob Lowth, National Director of Housing First, Housing Agency
- Liam Herrick, Chief Human Rights Commissioner Ireland
- Anna Kraft, Program Manager | Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, (Vienna Model of housing)
- Sharan Kelly, CEO, Tosú,
- Hanna Kettunen, Senior Specialist at the Ministry of the Environment of Finland
The conference will be delivered in collaboration with local Simon Communities from across the country, including Cork Simon Community, Dublin Simon Community, Galway Simon Community, Midlands Simon Community, Mid West Simon Community, and South East Simon Community. Registration is now open for Simon Week 2026 at simon.ie/simonweek.
Simon Week Podcast
As part of Simon Week 2026, Simon Communities of Ireland will also launch a four-part podcast series in September featuring conversations with people with lived experience of homelessness, sector experts, policymakers and frontline staff, exploring the realities of homelessness and the solutions needed to end it.
Regional Events
Galway Simon will hold a conference at the Hardiman Hotel on Tuesday September 22. This will bring together colleagues and partners to explore the intersection of health and homelessness, celebrate collaborative achievements, and strengthen the collective response to those living with complex and significant health needs. For more information, contact Fintan Maher fintan.maher@galwaysimon.ie.
Simon Communities of Ireland will host a live response to the Monthly Homeless Figures on Friday September 25th in Buswells Hotel in Dublin.
To support the work of the local Simon Communities, you can make a donation at simon.ie.
ENDS
For further information contact: Aileen Gaskin 086 166 2160 / communications@simoncommunity.com
