Government housing failure driving record homelessness crisis
Government housing failure driving record homelessness crisis - The Labour Party
The latest figures published by the Department of Housing show another devastating increase in the number of people without a home.
There are now 17,548 people living in emergency accommodation across the State, including 5,604 children.
Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD said this crisis is not accidental, and that political choices such a Government’s failed Residential Tenancies Bill are driving record increases and record homeless.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“Something is happening within the market that is driving homeless figures to today’s record of 17,548, and that is Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s failed policy interventions which are prioritising the private sector over the public interest which is housing people.
“Government has allowed the private rental market to effectively become a pipeline into homelessness. The Residential Tenancies Board figures show that more than 7,000 eviction notices were issued in the first three months of 2026, a 51% increase on the same period last year.
“Over reliance on the private market has failed. Rents now stand at an average of €2,100, beyond the reach of ordinary hard working people. Ireland’s renters rights continue to be weakened and chronic underinvestment in social and affordable housing is forcing more and more people into housing insecurity.
“Official figures show that approximately 58,000 households are trapped on social housing waiting lists, waiting for housing support, while the true level of unmet need is far higher when HAP reliant households are included.
“This is the outcome of a housing policy that has treated homes as investment assets rather than places for people to live. Government cannot continue to falsely claim they are making progress in housing when we see the trends going in the wrong direction on homelessness.”