Over 55,000 adults became homeless between 2014 and 2023 – report
James Cox
Over 55,000 adults (55,367) became homeless and entered emergency accommodation from 2014 to 2023, according to a new report from Focus Ireland.
Focus Ireland launched its latest report, ‘Focus on Homelessness - a Decade of Homelessness data’, on Friday morning, which includes "alarming statistics for homelessness since 2014".
The report offers an in-depth look at the trends and dynamics of homelessness over the past decade, revealing significant insights and "highlighting the urgent need for continued and enhanced efforts to address the crisis".
Authors of the report, Professor Eoin O’Sullivan (Trinity College Dublin), Emma Byrne, Focus Ireland policy officer and Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland, all believe the analysis underscores the critical importance of understanding these trends to inform policy and action.
The key findings of the report include:
- Over 55,000 adults (55,367) became homeless and entered emergency accommodation from 2014 to 2023.
- The number of adults in emergency accommodation for more than six months has increased by 579 per cent since 2014, indicating a troubling trend of prolonged time spent in homelessness.
- Nearly 30,000 adults exited emergency accommodation to a tenancy in the decade between 2014 and 2023 either to a social housing tenancy or a private rented tenancy with housing support payment.
- 2023 was the year with the highest number of new adults entering emergency accommodation in the last 10 years, with 6,462 adults entering for the first time that year.
Mike Allen said: "This data presented in this report clearly shows that homelessness is a dynamic and evolving issue. Over the past decade, huge numbers of adults have experienced the pain of not having a home and these startling figures reflect the severe and persistent nature of the problem we face. The report also demonstrates that homelessness is not a static condition but a fluid situation with many people moving in and out of homelessness.”
Mr Allen believes homelessness is not inevitable and can be solved.
He added: "The persistence and escalation of these figures demand a robust and sustained response. We must prioritise long-term solutions that address the root causes of homelessness, including affordable housing, support services, and policy reforms. Our goal is not just to manage homelessness, but to end it.
"Ireland has committed to ending homelessness by 2030 under the Lisbon Declaration. Our new report clearly shows that our current approach to homelessness is flawed. Without urgent action, we will not achieve our 2030 goal. We have clear evidence that we need to radically rethink our approach, including how we address the needs of these households throughout our housing system."