No change in sight as homelessness surges into 2026
No change in sight as homelessness surges into 2026 - The Labour Party
- Things will only get worse
Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD has said the latest homelessness figures for November 2025 are a damning indictment of Government housing policy, as 16,994 people, including 5,321 children, are now living in emergency accommodation across the State, with numbers continuing to rise month after month.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“Today’s figures are a national disgrace. Almost 17,000 people are now in emergency accommodation, including more than 5,300 children, and the numbers continue to climb relentlessly. This is not an accident or a temporary spike. It is the direct result of political choices made by this Government.
“This week we heard the Tánaiste claim that not everyone in emergency accommodation has a housing need. That remark was not only offensive, it was a calculated attempt to shift blame away from Government and on to people who are already at breaking point. Instead of owning their failures, Ministers are now questioning the legitimacy of people seeking a roof over their heads.”
“Going into 2026, there are clear political choices that could be made, but this Government has decided deliberately to make matters worse.
“Minister Browne’s RTB ‘rent hike’ bill is confusing and incoherent. It will cause rents to rise, further undermine renting as a long term stable form of housing and is already cause landlords to leave the market due to its confusion with multiple categories of landlord and tenant. This is a complete mess and Government are intent on worsening it.
Labour has been consistent and clear. We need sustained investment in public housing and a clear coherent vision for renting in Ireland.
“We need a focus on long term homes, not short term fixes that keep people cycling through emergency accommodation.
“Government must stop blaming people in emergency accommodation and start taking responsibility for the crisis. As we enter 2026, Ministers must change course withdraw his rent hike bill and come forward with legislation that will actually protect renters and commit to real investment in public housing, and act with the urgency this emergency demands. Every month of delay means more families without a home, and that is a choice this Government is still making.”