New social housing law will 'add to Ireland's escalating homeless crisis', say housing bodies

The group says there could be impacts for Irish citizens who are returning to live in Ireland after periods living abroad, people who are fleeing domestic violence, families currently on social housing waiting lists and people who are homeless and seeking emergency supports as well as Travellers as a nomadic ethnic group.

A new law that will require social housing applicants to prove that they have been resident in the State will add to the homeless crisis, a coalition of housing bodies has warned.

A group of the country's main homeless service providers say that they are "greatly disturbed at the speed" with which the new housing bill, the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, is being "rushed" through the Houses of the Oireachtas — and that it will "add to the escalating homeless crisis in the country".

Housing minister James Browne earlier this month confirmed his department will add 'lawful residency' and 'habitual residency' to eligibility criteria for social housing supports.

In a statement, the group of housing bodies expressed their "shock at how the bill is being rushed through without normal consultation and consideration" and say their "serious concerns" about the potential effects on vulnerable people are being ignored.

“This bill has the potential to further alienate and disenfranchise those who need our support most,” said Conor Hickey, chief executive of Crosscare.

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The group warned that the bill "will entrench barriers to housing support rather than remove them" and that "removing households from housing lists or homelessness statistics is not a solution to the homelessness and housing crises".

The group says there could be impacts for Irish citizens who are returning to live in Ireland after periods living abroad, people who are fleeing domestic violence, families currently on social housing waiting lists and people who are homeless and seeking emergency supports as well as Travellers as a nomadic ethnic group.

David Carroll, chief executive of the homeless charity Depaul Ireland, said: “While amendments to the bill are being discussed this week, we are worried that they will not go far enough to protect the most vulnerable people in our society.”

The coalition said that it is asking for time to discuss "several critical issues in the bill", including the need for any appeals mechanism to be independent and extended to those in need of emergency accommodation.

• Paul Hosford is deputy political editor of the Irish Examiner