Slight fall in number presenting as homeless in Louth

There was a fall in the number of people recorded as homeless in Louth and the North East region in February, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

239 adults accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation in the North East region, which comprises Louth, Monaghan and Cavan, during the week of 17-23 February 2025. It is down from 263 in January. 213 were in Louth, down from 232 in January. 11 were recorded in Monaghan and 15 in Cavan.

Of the 239 in the North East region, 129 were male and 110 female. 45 were aged 18-24 years old; 118 aged 25-44; 69 aged 45-64; and seven were aged 65 and over. 146 were Irish citizens; 37 were EEA/UK citizens; and 56 were non-EEA citizens.

55 families with 104 children also accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 17-23 February 2025 in the North East region. This is also down from January, when 68 families with 130 children accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation.

Nationally, 10,725 adults and 4,653 children, giving a total of 15,378 were recorded in February, up from 15,286, another record high number of homeless people in the State. This figure that does not account for those rough sleeping, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those in hidden homelessness—people sleeping in cars, on couches, or in unsuitable living conditions.

Commenting on the latest figures, Dundalk Simon Community said that with the many thousands in emergency accommodation having little hope of finding a place to call their own, the Taoiseach and Minister for Housing need to step up to take urgent action to make home a reality.

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dundalk Simon Community, said, “What have those elected to power done to address the roots of the problem? 2024 housing targets were not achieved and the possible changes to rent zones and the Tenant-in-Situ Scheme may lead even more people to homelessness.

"When will they recognise their duty to take real action to resolve this crisis and put an end to the suffering of thousands across the country? Has the Government’s commitment to end homelessness by 2030 been forgotten entirely?” 

She added, “The fact that there are over 15,000 people in this country without a place to call home and almost 11,000 in the capital is nothing but a great source of shame. It is a national embarrassment, one that continues to worsen, and thousands keep being left behind.

"In February of last year, there were 13,841 citizens in emergency accommodation. Since then, this number has increased by 1,537. In Dublin, the number increased by 848 during this period. Once again, Dundalk Simon Community is calling on the Government to take decisive action. The only way to turn the tide and bring these numbers down is to implement policies that match the scale of this emergency.”