THE NUMBER OF people in emergency accommodation decreased by 101 last month, reaching 17,447.
According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing on Friday, 11,864 adults and 5,583 children were accessing emergency accommodation in May.
Some 7,346 of those were single households, while 2,684 were family households.
Homelessness levels first passed 17,000 at the start of 2026.
Figures published by the department last month saw a record 17,548 people in emergency accommodation during the month of April, with children making up 5,604 of this figure.
The Dublin Simon Community described it as a “marginal decrease compared to the previous report”.
“The figures underline the continued pressure facing households, with many people experiencing homelessness against a backdrop of high rents, rising living costs and a shortage of affordable housing options,” it added.
New rental rules
There have been a 51% jump in eviction notices issued in the first quarter of this year, which coincided with the government’s sweeping changes to the rental sector from 1 March.
The government’s new rental rules mean that if a property is vacant, the landlord can set the rent at market rates instead of increases being capped at 2%.
Earlier this week, housing minister James Browne admitted that the government has no estimates for when homeless numbers may fall and if the coalition’s strategy is working.
The Fianna Fáil minister said that it’s “very difficult to model” when homeless numbers will fall, with his preference to put in place a framework to “maximise the delivery of homes” via a range of state-backed schemes.