Emergency homelessness spending hits €449m as housing crisis deepens

Government figures show emergency accommodation costs have doubled since 2021 as thousands remain without permanent homes

The latest homelessness report from the Department of Housing confirmed 17,482 were living in homeless accommodation. This includes a record 5,620 children.

Spending on emergency homelessness accommodation rose by over 16% last year to nearly €500m, as the Government has been accused of putting €1bn “down the drain” on temporary housing solutions last year alone.

Figures from housing minister James Browne show that spending on emergency accommodation has doubled since 2021 and increased by over €400m since 2011.