Family homelessness in the South-West more than doubles in four years, says report

'Behind every percentage increase are children growing up in emergency accommodation, often for extended periods,' says Focus Ireland

While adult-only homelessness continues to grow, the most urgent concern is the sharp increase in families and children entering emergency services, often for 'prolonged periods', the report said. File photo

The number of families caught up in homelessness in the South-West, including Cork and Kerry, has risen by 120% in four years, according to new data.

Focus Ireland said statistics for homelessness in the South-West are also showing a “troubling rise in family and child homelessness, alongside soaring expenditure on emergency accommodation”.

While adult-only homelessness continues to grow, the most urgent concern is the sharp increase in families and children entering emergency services, often for “prolonged periods”, the report said.

The study also revealed that local authority expenditure reached €43.1m in 2024, more than doubling since 2020, with Cork City Council accounting for nearly three-quarters of the spend.

Key findings show:

• Family homelessness has risen by 120% since 2021 and by 910% since 2014 
• Children in emergency accommodation have increased by 122.3% since 2021 
• One in four families were staying in emergency accommodation for over 12 months in 2025, compared to just 3.3% in 2022 
• Exits to private rental housing have collapsed, falling from 43.6% in 2021 to 7.7% in 2025 
• Emergency accommodation costs now consume nearly four-fifths of Section 10 funding in the South-West 

The figures come in the wake of record-breaking statistics released by the Department of Housing last week which show 16,766 people were in emergency accommodation at the end of October, including 11,492 adults and 5,274 children.

The latest figures show that 2,484 families were in emergency accommodation. This is an increase from September, when 16,614 people were living in emergency accommodation.

The figures suggest that thousands of children are again set to face Christmas in homeless accommodation, as the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise month-on-month.

The crisis in the housing sector has struck fear into the hearts of many people on the breadline across the country, as well as charities and support services already crippled with growing numbers of people seeking help.

Niamh Allen, head of advocacy at Focus Ireland, said: “The figures show that families and children are bearing the brunt of the housing crisis in the South-West.

Behind every percentage increase are children growing up in emergency accommodation, often for extended periods. 

She said the country is “spending more than ever on homelessness, both at national and local level, but the balance is wrong".

“Emergency accommodation dominates the budget, while prevention and long-term housing solutions remain underfunded. Unless resources are shifted, we will continue to see increases in the numbers of individuals and families entering homelessness. 

“The near disappearance of private rental exits is deeply worrying. Families who once relied on the private rental market, supported by schemes like HAP, now find that pathway closed. This places enormous pressure on social housing and Housing First tenancies, which cannot keep pace with demand.”