DUBLIN, Ireland: Homelessness in Ireland has reached an all-time high, with 15,286 people in emergency accommodation in January 2025, according to the latest figures.

The crisis, whose numbers rose from 14,864 in December 2024, includes 2,164 families and 4,603 children relying on local authority-managed emergency housing.

In response, homeless charity Depaul is calling on the incoming government to take "radical action" and implement a detailed five-year plan to tackle the crisis.

Depaul's chief executive, David Carroll, stressed the need for long-term solutions rather than short-term interventions.

"We want to see these homeless numbers dropping over 2025," he said. "We are working every day to ensure the men, women, and children behind these numbers—who are living in crisis without a home—are not forgotten or overlooked."

Carroll emphasized that while increasing the supply of social housing is crucial, it must be accompanied by critical investment in support services, particularly for mental health and addiction issues.

Depaul noted that 2024 was already the worst year on record for homelessness, and without significant intervention, 2025 could be worse. Carroll urged the government to follow through on its commitments in the Programme for Government, particularly those focused on long-term homelessness solutions and housing affordability.

"Housing is the most basic and fundamental need, yet a large number of people in this country do not have a secure, affordable, decent place to call home," he said. "At Depaul, our mission is to work to change that."

The charity is urging all stakeholders—government bodies, local authorities, and support organizations—to work together on sustainable solutions. It warns that without immediate action, homelessness in Ireland will continue to escalate, deepening the crisis for thousands of individuals and families.