NOVAS today welcomes several measures in Budget 2026 that have potential to ease housing pressures but warns that much more is needed if the Government is serious about achieving its stated goal of ending homelessness in Ireland by 2030.

The commitment in Budget 2026 to accelerate the delivery of social housing, supported by a major increase in capital investment, is strongly welcomed by NOVAS. The budget, announced by Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Jack Chambers, allocates €19.1 billion for housing and infrastructure next year; an increase of €2 billion on 2025. Of this, €2.9 billion is earmarked for social housing development and acquisition. NOVAS describes these as positive and necessary steps to address Ireland’s housing deficit.

However, the organisation expressed deep disappointment at the absence of any measures specifically focused on homelessness — either through prevention or protection for the thousands of people currently without a home or at imminent risk.

“The word homelessness was scarcely mentioned throughout the budget speeches,” said Una Burns, Head of Advocacy and Communications at NOVAS. “This is deeply disappointing given the scale of the crisis and its impact on thousands of households across Ireland.”

Ms Burns added that NOVAS had submitted a range of recommendations in its Pre-Budget submission, focused on both preventing and responding to homelessness — including adequate, high-quality emergency accommodation, measures to prevent rough sleeping and universal and targeted prevention supports. “There was no mention of any of this in what we heard today,” she continued. “While we warmly welcome the significant capital investment in social housing, we urge Government to ensure that people who experience homelessness have real access to these new homes, so that they are not left behind again.”

NOVAS also noted with concern the lack of any increase in HAP payments, leaving many low-income renters, among the most vulnerable households in the private sector, exposed to continued housing insecurity. “Without addressing affordability in the rental market and preventing entries into homelessness, Ireland will remain trapped in a cycle of crisis,” Ms Burns said.

NOVAS reiterated its commitment to working with Government and local authorities to deliver housing and support solutions that restore dignity, stability and independence for people experiencing homelessness.

Homelessness in Ireland has reached another record high of 15,915 according to the latest figures published by the Department of Housing. This marks an increase of 168 people compared to the previous month and a rise of 1,612 compared to the numbers reported in June 2024. The numbers continue to rise unbated with new housing supply having no impact on bringing down homeless figures. 

The data includes individuals accessing state funded emergency homeless accommodation across Ireland. People who are rough sleeping, living in squats, living in domestic violence refuges or those who are hidden homeless are not included in the figures. People who seek International Protection are also not captured in this data. 

The data is compiled monthly and published during the last full working week of the following month. It offers regional and country- level insights. 

As we approach budget 2026, we urge government to ensure that the supply of housing, provision of homeless accommodation and broad-ranging prevention measures are sufficiently resourced, to address the crisis at the scale that is required. 

June 2025 Key Statistics: 

• Total homeless population: 15,915 

• Adults: 10,957 

• (of which) Single adults: 7,060 (64%) 

• Young adults (ages 18 – 24):  1,893 (17.3%) 

• Families: 2,320  

• (of which) single parent families: 1,535 (58%) 

• Children (under 18): 4,958 

Gender Breakdown (Adults): 

• Male: 6,607 (60%) 

• Female: 4,350 (40%) 

Homelessness in Ireland has again reached a record high of 15,747 according to the latest figures published by the Department of Housing. This marks an increase of 167 people compared to the previous month and a rise of 1,588 compared to the numbers reported in May 2024. The rising numbers highlight the intensifying demand for emergency accommodation amidst a worsening housing crisis in Ireland.  

Who does this include? 

These figures include individuals accessing state funded emergency homeless accommodation across Ireland. People who are rough sleeping, living in squats, living in domestic violence refuges or those who are hidden homeless are not included in the figures. People who seek International Protection are also not captured in this data. 

The data is compiled monthly and published during the last full working week of the following month. It offers regional and country- level insights. 

May 2025 Key Statistics: 

• Total homeless population: 15,747 

• Adults: 10,903 

• (of which) Single adults: 7,064 (65%) 

• Young adults (ages 18 – 24):  1,851 (17%) 

• Families: 2,273 

• (of which) single parent families: 1,307 (58%) 

• Children (under 18): 4,844 

Increasing housing supply, prioritising homes for families in emergency accommodation and increased focus on prevention measures are key to solving the crisis.

With an election just three weeks away, we are asking you to prioritise homelessness as an issue in the upcoming General Election. As canvassing ramps up in your local community, ask your candidates how they plan on tackling the crisis, should they be elected.

NOVAS has a number of asks relating to Housing Delivery, Homeless Services and Addiction and Recovery. Ask your candidates to support these and commit to ending long-term homelessness by 2030.

Housing

• Revise housing targets and increase the supply of housing.
• Build the right kinds of homes, including more one-bedroom units.
• Ring-fence housing specifically for people facing long-term homelessness.
• End child homelessness by making sure every child has a stable home.

Homeless Services

• Guarantee high-quality services for those who need it.
• Guarentee enough homeless services so no one has to sleep on the streets.
• Focus on prevention services to stop homelessness before it starts.

Addiction and Recovery

• Put all 36 recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on drugs into action.

When candidates come to your door, use your voice and ask them to play their part in ending homelessness! You can also email or write to candidates in your constituency and ask them to make specific committments, as outlined above. Here is a sample letter that you can email or post to all your candidates.

Together, we can make the housing and homeless crisis a top priority of the 2024 election camapign and of a newly formed government.

While this county is in a very healthy financial position entering Budget 2025, it is deeply disappointing that housing targets were not adjusted upwardly in line with recommendations of The Housing Commission report published earlier this year. Pascal Donaghue T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure, reiterated existing housing target of 10,000 social homes next year, as per Housing For All, costing €2billion. This is in the context of an estimated hosing deficit of 235,000 homes due to ongoing underdevelopment and supply.

To meet the existing development deficit and respond to growing levels of homelessness, housing targets need to be revised with urgency and reflect actual housing need rather than construction sector capacity.

Una Burns, Head of Advocacy and Communications with NOVAS, expressed ‘disappointment at the lost opportunity to increase housing targets and the subsequent capital budget for social, affordable and cost-rental housing, that this budget could have offered. This would have indicated an urgent commitment by government to stem the tide of homelessness with long-term, housing-led solutions. Notwithstanding this, NOVAS is heartened by the commitment to provide an additional €1.25billion to the Land Development Agency for the delivery of additional social and affordable housing and we look forward to seeing the impact this will have.’

There was also disappointment for renters in the private sector, who rely on rent supplement payments, with no indication of increases to HAP payments or other supplements to meet the growing cost of renting in this state over the last six years. Addition tax relief for pre-letting expenses for landlords is a welcome measure but falls short of a standard tax rate for rental income required to incentivise existing small landlords to stay in the markets as well as new entrants.

Notwithstanding these disappointments, there were some positive moves in the housing sector, including increased tax credits for renters, a higher rate of stamp duty for bulk acquisitions (15%) and an increase in the Vacant Homes Tax from five to seven times the value of the Local Property Tax.

There was also welcome inclusions in the social welfare package, supporting low income households, including an additional €12 per week on all social welfare payments, additional support for carers and people with disabilities and the roll-out of the School Meals Holiday Hunger pilot programme.