Summer homelessness can disrupt children’s development, psychologist warns

More than 250 children in Cork and Kerry are spending their summer holidays in emergency accommodation, charity figures show

Children now make up more than one-third of all people experiencing homelessness nationally. Picture: iStock

A UCC psychologist has warned that spending the summer in homelessness can affect children’s developmental milestones.

This summer, 255 children in Cork and Kerry are without a home, spending the school holidays in emergency accommodation.

Children now make up more than one-third of all people experiencing homelessness nationally, while the average stay in emergency accommodation for a family is more than a year, with many staying far longer.

Dr Sharon Lambert, a senior lecturer at University College Cork’s School of Applied Psychology, said summer homelessness and time spent living in emergency accommodation create particular stresses for families and children.

Dr Lambert works closely with families experiencing homelessness nationwide and said: “Everything that you consider in terms of a summer and what children ought to be doing in summer is at risk of being massively disrupted because of the instability and uncertainty associated with experiencing homelessness.

“Even very simple things that people take for granted, like a playdate or a sleepover. Children who are in homelessness accommodation cannot have their friends around to play or sleepover.

“There are aspects to child development that are important, and social and emotional development often happens in the context of play and friendships. Disruptions to friendships and play can be very stressful for children.

“Essentially, children in homelessness could be missing out on these important developmental milestones or at least, those important developmental milestones are being disrupted,” she said.

‘Massively disrupted’

The warning comes as housing and homelessness charity Focus Ireland launches its Shine A Light sleep-out, supported by new sponsor Sisk.

Shine A Light will take place nationwide on Friday, October 9, on the eve of World Homelessness Day, and the charity aims to raise €1.2m from the campaign to support families experiencing homelessness.

Business leaders, companies and community groups are encouraged to join the charity’s organised sleep-out in Cork City Gaol or sign up to host their own.

Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland, said: “For families living without a home, the school holidays can bring additional pressure.

“Parents are often juggling the daily realities of homelessness while trying to provide a normal summer.”

In 2025, Focus Ireland delivered prevention and early support in close collaboration with local authorities and community partners, supporting 50 families in Cork who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

To alleviate the impact of school holidays on families and give children experiencing homelessness some typical summer experiences, Focus Ireland runs weekly summer camps and day trips for children.

However, demand far outstrips what the charity can offer.