Homelessness in Dublin: A Year of Challenges and Change
As of January 2025, homelessness in Dublin unfortunately continues to rise, despite a range of programs and policies put in place by the government, local charities, and community organisations. With a growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Dublin, the question remains: What’s being done to address the crisis? And where are the gaps?
The Current State of Homelessness in Dublin
According to the latest official statistics from the Department of Housing, over 15,000 people in Ireland are experiencing homelessness, with the majority of these people living in Dublin. The numbers have been steadily rising over the past few years, with the largest group being single men, followed by families with children.
The Irish Times -
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2025/01/03/number-of-homeless-people-passes-15000-for-first-time-since-records-began/
Government Responses: Shelters, Services, and Support
Over the years, the government has attempted to introduce various initiatives to help alleviate the homelessness crisis. This includes emergency shelters, temporary accommodation, and supportive housing schemes.
One example is the Cold Weather Initiative, which is active from November to March every year. Within this program, additional emergency beds are made available to people living rough. This initiative is vital to help people survive the cold of winter, but it is criticized for offering only temporary solutions. As of January 2025, there are around 400 extra beds allocated to the homeless population within Dublin, but, unfortunately, demand outweighs supply.
In addition, there are ongoing efforts to increase social housing within Ireland. However, this area has faced significant delays, and while an extremely small amount of progress has been made in building new homes, the numbers still fall incredibly short of what is needed. The Irish Council for Social Housing estimates that at least 50,000 new homes are needed in order to address the demand for social housing across the country, but current projections show that less than 8,000 will be built in 2025.
The Role of Charities and Community Organisations
Charities and non-profit organizations are playing a vital role in filling the gaps left by government action. Groups like Focus Ireland, The Peter McVerry Trust, and De Paul Ireland provide emergency shelter, meals, outreach services, and long-term housing solutions. But these organisations also feel huge pressure, as they face increasing demand for their services as the homeless figures in Ireland rise and rise.
An incredible initiative in Dublin is Secret Street Tours, which provides an opportunity for homeless individuals to lead walking tours of Dublin, sharing their own stories and perspectives. For the guides, the tours are not only a source of income but also a way to regain a sense of purpose and agency. By shifting the narrative around homelessness, Secret Street Tours helps the public see the faces behind the statistics.
However, despite the efforts of local charities, resources are spread thin. Many charities based in Dublin reported that they do not have sufficient time or resources to offer the level of individual support that is needed to help people transition out of homelessness.
What’s Falling Short?
While a small amount of progress has been made in certain areas, there are significant gaps that continue to contribute to Dublin’s homelessness crisis:
Inadequate Long-Term Housing: While temporary emergency beds are definitely important in the short term, they do not solve the root cause of homelessness. Long-term, sustainable housing solutions are crucial. Unfortunately, the construction of affordable housing remains incredibly slow.
Overcrowded Shelters: Many shelters in Dublin are not fully equipped to deal with the increasing number of homeless individuals. Not only is overcrowding uncomfortable for individuals themselves but they can also often create unsafe conditions, especially for vulnerable groups like women and children.
Mental Health and Addiction Support: A large percentage of the homeless population in Dublin struggle with mental health issues and addiction. However, services that cater to these needs are extremely limited.
Barriers to Housing: Even when housing is available, many people face barriers to rehousing. This includes the need for rental deposits, references, proof of address, and proof of income—issues that people living on the streets don’t have.
Lack of Employment Opportunities: Even as more homeless people are given temporary accommodation, the lack of employment opportunities and support for those who are transitioning out of homelessness remains a significant hurdle. Many people experiencing homelessness face discrimination when applying for jobs, making it difficult to break the cycle of homelessness.
2025: What Needs to Change
There’s no quick fix to the homelessness crisis in Dublin, but there are major steps that need to be taken to improve the situation:
Increased Investment in Social Housing: The Irish government has to increase investment in building affordable, long-term housing solutions that can provide real security to those at risk of homelessness.
Outreach and Engagement: Many more outreach workers and services need to be available to help those on the streets. Access to shelters, homes, along with long-term support, can help prevent people from slipping through the cracks.
Increased Employment Opportunities: Employers, charities, and government agencies need to work together to create employment programs specifically for people who have experienced homelessness, offering training, job placements, and assistance with barriers to entry.
As we enter 2025, Dublin’s homelessness crisis remains an urgent issue that demands continued and long term attention. While there are some programs in place, it’s obvious that much more needs to be done to provide lasting solutions.
What Can I Do To Help?
There are many ways in which you can support Secret Street Tours. You can take one of our tours here to experience Dublin alongside one of our fantastic guides. You can support us by making a donation or make a regular donation by becoming a patron here.
Sharing our Tours with friends and family or on social media is another great way to spread the word about the work we are doing.
We would like to also say a huge thank you for your ongoing support and contributions.
Written by Molly Hunt, 31st of January 2025
