19th January 2026
The Simon Communities of Ireland (SCI), in partnership with Galway Simon Community, will today (Monday) launch a new report examining older adults experience of homelessness in Ireland. The rising number of older people affected by homelessness highlights significant gaps in policy and service implementation.
The report will be officially launched by the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, at an event in Galway. Its publication follows Galway Simon’s event during Simon Week in September 2025, which focused on the theme of “retiring into homelessness’, and built on the work of Galway Simon with this cohort, set in the international context. The event aimed to bring together those committed to ending homelessness, deepen understanding of homelessness in later life, and develop practical, actionable solutions.
Key Findings
The report highlights how homelessness in later life is driven by a combination of structural factors and individual life-course experiences. Speakers at the September Simon Week event pointed to policy gaps arising from assumptions that older age is characterised by home ownership or secure tenure. In reality, reliance on the private housing markets at a time of rising rents and house prices, insufficient pension incomes, and a lack of age-friendly housing is increasing vulnerability or housing precarity/insecurity among older people.
Individual factors such as low lifetime earnings, illness, disability, relationship breakdown, institutionalisation, and bereavement further heighten the risks of experiencing homelessness. When homelessness occurs in later life, it has profound and interconnected impacts on physical health, mental wellbeing, social inclusion and emotional security, making it a significant public health and social issue.
Policy Recommendations
The report sets out six key policy recommendations, each supported by concrete actions, including:
- Integrated national-level leadership must drive a holistic approach to preventing, mitigating and supporting opportunities for exiting homelessness across diverse ageing populations
- Relevant existing legislation which can strengthen protections against housing loss should be identified (and new legislation developed) and fully implemented to reduce the number of older people entering homelessness
- A greater level of resourcing is required for homeless services to ensure that the often higher and more complex needs of older people can be met. The level of funding should be proportionate to these needs and sufficient to underpin a range of supports and appropriate infrastructures
- A robust policy response to gaps in access to age-friendly housing must be developed and should have it at its core the understanding that there is diversity in the older population regarding housing tenure and security, as well as diversity of housing preferences, and accessibility needs
- As part of a national older person homelessness strategy, develop a research programme to generate evidence-based understandings of all issues relevant to older people’s housing insecurity and homelessness such as health, well-being, social inclusion and social care, which should then provide a basis for robust policies and services
- Multi-level policy and strategic approaches, research and community-based supports, must be underpinned by an ethos of meaningful involvement of older people with lived experience of homelessness.
Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minister of State for Older People and Housing, and the Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Mike Cubbard, will attend the launch, alongside key political, academic, community and lived-experience stakeholders.
Speaking at the launch, President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly said:
“This timely report shines a much-needed spotlight on the growing number of older people experiencing homelessness in Ireland, and particular attention should be given to the recommendations and actions.”
Ber Grogan, Executive Director, Simon Communities of Ireland, said:
“Ireland’s population is ageing, and as a society we must plan for this demographic shift, not only for humanitarian reasons, but also out of economic necessity. The message is clear: failing to invest in appropriate supports now will lead to far greater social and financial costs in the years ahead.
There is a clear opportunity for stronger political leadership and more coordinated policy action to turn existing commitments into tangible results and ensure that no older person is left without support.
The report warns that Ireland risks repeating the experience of countries such as the United States, where older-age homelessness has become deeply entrenched. However, it also highlights that the number of older adults experiencing homelessness in Ireland remains relatively low, meaning decisive action taken now can prevent a far more serious crisis in the future.”
Dr Carol Baumann, CEO, Galway Simon Community, said:
“Without intervention, the situation will continue to deteriorate. However, there remains a window of opportunity. The current number of older people experiencing homelessness in Ireland is still relatively low, and as such, meaningful change is both possible and achievable. The potential impact of such change would be immense, improving not only individual wellbeing, but also advancing national goals around healthy and positive ageing, and delivering homes and building communities.
Action must be strategic and multifaceted. It should focus on prevention, mitigation, and exit pathways, ensuring that people are supported at every stage. Galway Simon provides targeted supports for older people and will continue to do so.
While the report recommendations are made against the backdrop of an entrenched housing crisis, this report argues that the crisis is not insurmountable. With increased political will, more focused leadership, and a commitment to evidence-based, compassionate policy, Ireland can avoid replicating the mistakes seen elsewhere.”
ENDS
For further information contact Aileen Gaskin 087 7724 717 / communications@simoncommunity.com
