Dundalk Simon Community Statement on February 2025 Homeless Report

Dundalk Simon Community calls for decisive action now to turn the tide on this crisis. 

Dundalk, 28th March 2025: Ireland’s homelessness figures have once again reached unprecedented heights. The national crisis continues to spiral out of control. The Department of Housing’s latest report reveals 343 homeless people in the North-East region, equating to 55 families, 104 children and 160 single adults across counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. 

With yet another record-breaking increase, the pressure on the Government to meaningfully address the crisis mounts. With the many thousands in emergency accommodation having little hope of finding a place to call their own, the Taoiseach and Minister for Housing need to step up to take urgent action to make home a reality.  

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dundalk Simon Community, said, “What have those elected to power done to address the roots of the problem? 2024 housing targets were not achieved and the possible changes to rent zones and the Tenant-in-Situ Scheme may lead even more people to homelessness. When will they recognise their duty to take real action to resolve this crisis and put an end to the suffering of thousands across the country? Has the Government’s commitment to end homelessness by 2030 been forgotten entirely?” 

She added, “The fact that there are over 15,000 people in this country without a place to call home and almost 11,000 in the capital is nothing but a great source of shame. It is a national embarrassment, one that continues to worsen, and thousands keep being left behind. In February of last year, there were 13,841 citizens in emergency accommodation. Since then, this number has increased by 1,537. In Dublin, the number increased by 848 during this period. Once again, Dundalk Simon Community is calling on the Government to take decisive action. The only way to turn the tide and bring these numbers down is to implement policies that match the scale of this emergency.”  

Solutions Are Long Overdue 

Dundalk Simon Community is calling on the Government to invest in concrete solutions to bring about the end of homelessness 

• Increase the stock of social and cost-rental housing until it constitutes at least 20% of the national housing stock, as recommended by The Housing Commission

• Dedicated supports to prevent falling into homelessness, including schemes to help people in the private rental sector who are at risk of eviction. This should amount to no less than 20% of the homelessness budget.

• Viable routes to housing for people stuck in emergency accommodation.

“We have been in the depths of a crisis for a long time now and it appears some have become desensitised to the horrors faced by those experiencing homelessness. As a wealthy country, we must recognise the suffering of our most vulnerable and take the necessary actions to help those in need. The Government has a duty to meet people’s basic needs and afford them the dignity of a home.” 

A good starting point would be applying the recommendations of The Housing Commision report and the development of a new housing plan. 

The scourge of homelessness is not something that can be solved through housing policies alone. Dundalk Simon Community also urges the Government adopt an interdepartmental approach, addressing the other issues closely linked to homelessness in areas like health, education, equality and more. 

“Without addressing the various factors that lead people to homelessness, we will fail to prevent it,” said Kenny. “Housing is a crucial piece in the prevention puzzle, but we cannot view it as a fix-all solution.” 

“The people living, or surviving, in emergency accommodation, have already been let down. We must show them the respect they deserve and recognise their plight. It is long overdue that the Government, and we, as a society, address this injustice.”