The numbers registered as homeless have reached record levels again.
Department of Housing figures show there were 15,286 in emergency accommodation in January - including 4,603 children. The totals are 13 percent higher than a year ago.
The number of people homeless and living in emergency accommodation has climbed to another record high, and now stands at 15,286. The figures, which relate to last month, also show 4,603 children are homeless.
According to the data published by the Department of Housing, there was an increase of 422 people accessing emergency accommodation last month when compared to December 2024.
The 15,286 figure represents a 13% yearly increase on January 2024.
The number of children homeless has risen by 14% for the same period.
The report also shows that in 2024, a total of 3,384 adults exited emergency accommodation after securing a tenancy, representing an increase of 20% on 2023.
It also states a total of 5,509 were prevented from becoming homeless last year
Focus Ireland has said the figures represent "a significant, but not unexpected, setback following the positive decline in family homelessness before Christmas".
Chief Executive Pat Dennigan emphasised that homelessness is solvable with the right policies and approach.
"Ireland is a wealthy country with a surplus that many nations envy, and homelessness should not be seen as something we must accept".
"It's important to remember that homelessness can be prevented and ended with the right policies.
The Dublin rough sleeper count for winter 2024, carried out over the week of 4-10 November, was published on 3 January 2025.
It reports an increase in rough sleeping since spring 2024 and winter 2023. The total number of unique individuals engaged with by Outreach Teams during the count week was 134, which represents an increase of 6 persons (4.7%) on spring 2024 when 128 individuals were found to be rough sleeping during the count week of 8-14 April 2024.
It represents an increase of 16
persons (13.6%) on the winter 2023 count carried out the week of 6-12 November 2023.
