Louth homeless figures continue to rise

Homeless numbers in Louth and the North East region rose again in February, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

167 adults accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 16-22 February 2026 in the North East region, up from 165 in January. Of the 167 adults: 153 were in Louth, and 14 were in Monaghan and Cavan combined.

104 were male and 63 were female. 33 were aged 18-24 years old; 90 were aged 25-44 years old; 39 were aged 45-64 years old; and five were aged 65 and over.

118 were Irish citizens, up from 113 in January; 19 were EEA/UK citizens, down from 25 in January; and 30 were non-EEA citizens, up from 27 in January. 

There was also a rise in the number of families accessing local authority managed emergency accommodation in the North East in February.

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21 families with 44 children accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 16-22 February 2026 in the North East region, up from 20 families with 43 children in January.

Nationally, 11,851 adults and 5,457 children, giving a total of 17,308 people were recorded as homeless in February. This is up from 17,112 in January, and is yet another record high in the number of people recorded as homeless 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 today on the latest national figures, David Carroll, Chief Executive of Depaul, said that it represents "a stark reminder that the crisis in Ireland is not only deepening, but becoming more entrenched. Now more than ever the timing is crucial for all parties to work together towards the Government forthcoming Homeless Prevention Framework."

Mr Carroll continued: “There is a critical need now for the imminently planned Government Homeless Prevention Framework to be introduced and adequately resourced. Today’s figures are confirming what we are already seeing every day across our services – more people, more families, and more children being pushed into homelessness. 

“We believe the private rental market is one of the keys to the homelessness prevention solution. When we look at the fallout we are seeing from the recently introduced rental legislation there is a need to make sure that small landlords in particular are supported to remain in the market as there is intensifying pressure on the rental market - leaving a growing shortage of homes available to rent. The timing is now for the new prevention framework.

“We also welcome the review of the Housing Assistance Payment system (HAPS) system particularly in light of the changes to rental legislation. This review is crucial in long term housing planning and our hope is it will introduce measures to drive the delivery of housing, and improve current stock - to help put some focus on immediate homelessness prevention.”

“Another aspect of homelessness prevention which we are keenly advocating for is the suspension of the issuing of letters from IPAS services to families saying that they are no longer entitled to IPAS accommodation. This is being done with little regard for the fact that there is a huge ongoing struggle to source enough emergency accommodation to meet the resulting demand of families who are being ejected from the system.

"Moving families from one Government institution to another one is senseless and hugely disruptive. This is having a significant impact in terms of these families and individuals ultimately ending up in unsuitable emergency homeless accommodation. 

"We urgently need this stronger focus on prevention which the Government’s new framework will offer. 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.”