Ireland's Housing Dilemma: Prioritizing Solutions for the Homelessness Predicament
In the heart of Ireland, a significant housing crisis persists, with nearly 16,000 people, including thousands of children, residing in emergency accommodation as of mid-2025. This alarming figure, a dramatic rise since 2015, has prompted political parties to propose various solutions to address this ongoing issue.
Prime Minister Simon Harris announced a snap election in Ireland for Friday, 29 November, with the housing crisis being a key focus. Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien stated that increased housing supply will be the solution to the homelessness problem. One of the key aspects in tackling the crisis is the provision of a significant increase in the delivery of social homes.
Sinn Féin politician Mr. Pat Sheehan has called for a referendum on a right to housing, believing it would act as a driving force for the policy changes needed to tackle homelessness. He also suggested a dedicated role in government for homelessness and advocated for reducing dependence on emergency accommodations through more effective housing pathways.
Parties across the political spectrum are advocating for increased public and affordable housing supply, stronger rent regulation and enhanced tenant protections, funding for services that prevent homelessness at early stages, expanding mental health, addiction, and social support services, and addressing emergency accommodation reliance.
In Dublin, the majority of people recorded as homeless were based, with Cork following closely behind, hosting 549 adults in emergency accommodation. The Southwest region (Cork and Kerry) had 183 children reported as homeless.
The election is aimed at extending Fine Gael's 14-year run in power. The next government is expected to have a minister of state with responsibility for homelessness, who will have the necessary powers to drive and implement cross-departmental action to tackle homelessness.
Rents in the country have been increasing for 15 consecutive quarters due to demand outstripping supply, a problem attributed to historic underinvestment after the country's financial crisis in the late 2000s by Alan Barrett, Director of the Economic and Social Research Institute.
In related news, funding has been granted to help tackle homelessness in Surrey. Mr. Sheehan believes addressing the housing crisis can underpin social cohesion, economic development, and secure a better future for every man, woman, and child in the State.
For the most accurate and detailed breakdown of party-specific plans for the upcoming election, reviewing official manifestos and recent policy announcements from parties such as Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Labour, and the Green Party would be necessary. These documents typically outline targeted strategies involving housing investment, rental market reforms, and homelessness services tailored to the scale of Ireland’s ongoing crisis.
- Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien's solution to the housing crisis is an increase in housing supply, aiming to ease the homelessness problem.
- To secure a better future for every citizen, Sinn Féin politician Mr. Pat Sheehan advocates for a referendum on a right to housing as a driving force for policy changes and reducing dependence on emergency accommodations.
