Ireland: Homelessness is a continual blight on society North and South

'Homeless Jesus', by Timothy Schmalz, Regis College, University of Toronto, Canada. Image used with permission of Mr Schmalz.

Source: Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth

The continuing rise in the numbers of people seeking emergency accommodation across the island of Ireland was referenced in a report by the Bishops' Commission for Social Issues and International Affairs during the Bishops' autumn general meeting held in Maynooth this week.

Bishops stated: "This continuing crisis of homelessness in our society - North and South - is a blight on our society. It is a failure of government and public policy at all levels for not providing one of the most basic human rights of people: the right to a home. Just reacting to a crisis is both costly and ineffective. We need to address the root causes of homelessness, causes that have long existed in our economy, so that human dignity and the common good can be served authentically."

"In the Republic, the number of homeless people accessing emergency accommodation in August 2026 reached a record 17,885. This marks a 111% rise since the Housing for All plan was initiated in 2021 and a 169% increase over the past decade."

"Regarding Northern Ireland, over 90,000 people are applicants for social housing while more than 5,600 people are living in emergency accommodation. Low social housing supply, coupled with higher demand, is causing this problem to accelerate. The absence of a Budget in Northern Ireland is further exacerbating the problem and leaving authorities with only emergency accommodation as a response," Bishops said.