Homelessness in Ireland
Homelessness in Ireland continued to rise throughout 2025, reaching record levels and placing mounting pressure on national and local support services. For the sixth consecutive month, more than 16,000 people have relied on emergency accommodation, highlighting the persistence and severity of the crisis. Notably, over 5,000 of those affected are children, underscoring the significant social and developmental risks associated with prolonged housing instability.
The Department of Housing’s latest figures for December 2025 show that 16,734 people are currently without a home, a decrease of 262 from the previous month but 1,870 more than in December 2024. Family homelessness has also increased, with 2,092 families now in emergency accommodation, down 47 from last month but 386 higher than this time last year. Over 5,188 children were without a home this Christmas, a decrease of 133 from last month but an increase of 678 compared with last year.
While we welcome the fact that this month’s figures have declined, we note that this is a common feature of homelessness statistics during the Christmas period, when many people stay with family or friends. We will have to wait for the January figures to see whether this is an indication of a further decline or merely a temporary seasonal effect.
These numbers are devastating. The ongoing crisis emphasises the urgent need for long-term housing solutions and sustained investment in social supports. The recent CSO completion figures for 2026 revealed more than 36,000 homes last year. This is a very welcome increase from previous years. Significant further increases are required in the next five years to address the crisis and provide stable housing for thousands of households that are currently experiencing homelessness.
NOVAS is committed to combating the rising levels of homelessness with our statutory partners, to deliver housing and support solutions that restore dignity, stability and independence for people experiencing homelessness.
Key Statistics: December 2025
Total Homeless Population: 16,734
Total number of adults: 11,546
Single adults: 7,311 (63.3%)
Young adults (18-24): 2,017 (17.5%)
Families: 2,478
Single parent families: 1,395 (56.3%)
Children (under 18): 5,188
Adult gender breakdown:
Male: 6,963 (60.3%)
Female: 4,583 (39.7%)
Who does this include?
The data only 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.
