Homeless numbers on the rise again in Louth region

The number of people accessing emergency accommodation in the North East region, which comprises Louth, Monaghan and Cavan, is on the rise again according to the latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

220 adults accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation in the North East region, during the week of 23-29 June 2025. The figure is up from May when 217 people were recorded, and April, when 205 were recorded. 189 were in Louth, and 31 were in Monaghan and Cavan.

Of the 220 adults, 128 were male and 92 were female. 36 were aged 18-24 years old; 125 were aged 25-44; 52 were aged 25-64; and seven people were aged over 65 years of age. 124 were Irish citizens; 38 were EEA/UK citizens; and 58 were non-EEA citizens.

48 families with 101 children also accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 23-29 June 2025. This is down from 51 families with 107 children in May.

Read also: Louth sees increase in house completions

Nationally, 10,957 adults and 4,958 children, giving a total of 15,915 people, were recorded as homeless in June, up from 15,747 in May, yet another record high number of homeless people in the State.

Commenting on the latest figures, Dundalk Simon Community said it is imploring the Government to tackle the crisis. It said that unmet housing targets, the low availability of rental properties and the lack of specific supports for people experiencing homelessness all must be addressed to turn the tide on the emergency.

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dundalk Simon Community said of the latest national figures: “The alarm bells have been ringing for far too long. We’re in the thick of a national emergency and still we wait for the Government to take decisive action. Of utmost concern is the rate of homelessness in the capital compared to the rest of the country.

"Since January, homelessness in Dublin has increased at a rate four times greater than outside the capital. A lack of delivery on social housing targets and resources to the housing sector in a growing capital comes with a price. The most vulnerable people are paying that price.

"Month after month, year after year, our capital city has seen more and more of its citizens left without a place to call home. With well over 11,000 stuck in emergency accommodation in Dublin, at what point will the Government decide to do what is necessary to address this great injustice?”

She added, "While we await the details of a national housing plan and the potential impact of relaxing rent pressure zones and reducing the size of apartments, there is little in terms of immediate action to address the reality of 15,915 languishing in emergency accommodation.

"The increased investment in housing infrastructure in the new National Development Plan is of course welcome, but people experiencing homelessness right now cannot wait any longer for a solution. Once again, Dundalk Simon Community is calling on the Government to recognise and respond to this emergency in the national housing plan.”