Dundalk Simon Calls for Urgent, Integrated Action on Homelessness Ahead of Budget 2026 

 New record-shattering numbers: more than 16,300 people, including over 5,100 children, are homeless in Ireland. How can we expect different results if we keep acting the same way? 

 

Dundalk, 26th September 2025: With Budget 2026 just weeks away, Dundalk Simon is calling for significant investment in a comprehensive plan—encompassing housing, healthcare, and social protection—to prevent people from becoming homeless and to support those already experiencing it to exit homelessness. Similarly, the charity asserts that homelessness must be a central focus in the upcoming housing plan to ensure that thousands currently facing this hardship may leave it behind for good.  

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dundalk Simon Community, said, “Once again, we are witnessing record-shattering homeless figures. Tragically, we are at a stage where we have come to expect these increases. Things needed to change long ago, but it is not too late for those in power to take decisive action. Budget 2026 must include a clear, cross-departmental plan to tackle homelessness as a housing, health, and social emergency. This cannot be solved in one year—what we expect is the start of sustained investment over the coming years. We cannot expect different results if we continue acting the same way, with housing, health, and social departments working in silos. There needs to be significant investment in social and affordable housing, adequate funding for homeless and health services, and full resourcing for all 100 beds at our Health and Addiction Care Facility at Usher’s Island, where currently only 63 are operational.”  

The Department of Housing’s latest report reveals 252 people in emergency accommodation in the North-East region, equating to 30 families, 65 children and 138 single adults across counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. 

Kenny added, “We can no longer accept seeing the homeless figures climb upward every month. This has been a crisis for some time and it needs to be treated as the emergency it is. Budget 2026 and the housing plan due in October must work together to deliver long-term solutions, including a dedicated homelessness strategic pillar in the housing plan to address root causes.” 

Dundalk Simon Community Asks of Government: 

• Prioritise social and affordable housing supply: Increase supply until it reaches at least 20% of the national housing stock, with a minimum of 20% of allocations reserved for people experiencing long-term homelessness, sized appropriately to their needs. 

• Resource the AHB sector adequately: Recognise that Local Authorities and AHBs deliver 75% of homes for those exiting homelessness. Fund both large development-focused AHBs and smaller, niche providers to ensure diversity, quality, and volume. 

• Reform capital funding models: Review and update the guidelines for capital funding models for the provision of social housing by AHBs.  

• Expedite planning processes: Remove red tape slowing down the delivery of vital social housing projects.