OCDE - Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026 - Irlanda de 2026

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DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: IRELAND © OECD 2026

Summary of key data and information Summary of key data and information Official statistical definition of homelessness (Table 1) In the 1988 Housing Act, a person is considered homeless if: (a) there is no accommodation available which, in the opinion of the authority, he, together with any other person who normally resides with him or who might reasonably be expected to reside with him, can reasonably occupy or remain in occupation of, or (b) he is living in a hospital, county home, night shelter or other such institution, and is so living because he has no accommodation of the kind referred to in paragraph (a), and he is, in the opinion of the authority, unable to provide accommodation from his own resources. Latest national estimates of homelessness (Table 2, Table 3) 16 734 individuals, representing 0.31% of the total population (2025) 27% are women, 42% are men Point-in-time count, based on the Pathway Accommodation Support System (PASS) ETHOS Light groups included Included: • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) Not included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions • ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) • ETHOS Light 6: Living temporarily with others in conventional housing (e.g. sofa-surfing) Notes: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness (Table 4)

Notes: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Legal framework to collect data on homelessness (Table 4) The 1988 Housing Act requires that local authorities carry out periodic assessments of the number of people who are homeless in their administrative area, as part of their housing needs assessment. Homelessness Strategy (Table 5) • National Homelessness Strategy: Delivering Homes, Building Communities and Youth Homelessness Strategy. • Regional and/or local homelessness strategies exist Approaches to collect data on homelessness (Table 6) • Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS): online shared case-management system used by every homeless service provider and all local authorities (Table 6.1). • Census of population: Census Field officers conduct interviews and questionnaires with people experiencing homelessness in pre-selected establishments and locations (Table 6.2).

Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026: Ireland2  DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: IRELAND © OECD 2026

Table 1. Official statistical definition of homelessness Statistical definition Homelessness According to the Housing Act (1988): A person shall be regarded by a housing authority as being homeless for the purposes of this Act if: (a) there is no accommodation available which, in the opinion of the authority, he, together with any other person who normally resides with him or who might reasonably be expected to reside with him, can reasonably occupy or remain in occupation of, or (b) he is living in a hospital, county home, night shelter or other such institution, and is so living because he has no accommodation of the kind referred to in paragraph (a), and he is, in the opinion of the authority, unable to provide accommodation from his own resources. Table 2. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology Year Headline estimate of homelessness

resources. Table 2. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology Year Headline estimate of homelessness (Individuals) % of total population ETHOS Light 1 People living rough ETHOS Light 2 People in emergency accommodation ETHOS Light 3 People in accommodation for the homeless ETHOS Light 4 People living in institutions ETHOS Light 5 People living in unconventional dwellings ETHOS Light 6 People staying with family/friends 2018 6 194 0.13% NA 6 194 Included in

ETHOS 2

Not included Not included Not included 2023 13 179 0.26% Not included 13 179 Included in

ETHOS 2

Not included Not included Not included 2025 16 734 0.31% Not included 16 734 Included in

ETHOS 2

Not included Not included Not included Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time • Data are comparable across years: Yes

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: No ‒ Refugees: No ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No Note: For 2025, data refers to the number of individuals staying in state-funded accommodation during the count week of December-22-28.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (2023/2025); Pathway

Accommodation and Support System (PASS). Table 3. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by sub-group and living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology, 2025 Single adults Men Women Youth

Accommodation and Support System (PASS). Table 3. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by sub-group and living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology, 2025 Single adults Men Women Youth (aged 18-24) Older people (aged 65 and over) Families with children (# of households) Headline estimate of homelessness 7 311 6 963 4 583 2 017 270 2 478 As percentage of total population experiencing homelessness 43.68% 41.61% 27.39% 12.05% 1.61% NA ETHOS Light 1: People living rough Not included

Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included ETHOS Light 2: People in emergency accommodation 16 734 6 693 4 583 2 017 270 2 478 ETHOS Light 3: People in accommodation for the homeless Included in

ETHOS 2

Included in

ETHOS 2

Included in

ETHOS 2

Included in

ETHOS 2

Included in

ETHOS 2

Included in ETHOS 2 3

DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: IRELAND © OECD 2026

ETHOS Light 4: People living in institutions Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included ETHOS Light 5: People living in unconventional dwellings Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included ETHOS Light 6: People staying with family/friends Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: No ‒ Refugees: No

with family/friends Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included Not included Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: No ‒ Refugees: No ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No Note: The Sub-groups are not mutually exclusive. For 2025, data refers to the number of individuals staying in state-funded accommodation during the count week of December-22-28. Gender breakdown only considers adults.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (2025); Pathway

Accommodation and Support System (PASS). Table 4. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness Legal framework Law that governs data collection on homelessness The Housing Act, 1988 Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 Legal obligations Section 9 of the Housing Act 1988 requires that local authorities carry out periodic assessments of the number of people who are homeless in their administrative area, as part of their housing needs assessment. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 outlines a statutory obligation to have an action plan in place and the formation of a Homelessness Consultative Forum and a Statutory Management Group. Table 5. Homelessness strategy Homelessness strategies in place National Homelessness Strategy National Homelessness Strategy: Delivering Homes, Building Communities and Youth Homelessness Strategy Regional and/or local homelessness strategies exist Yes. Table 6. Approaches to collect data on homelessness 6.1. Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) Description The Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) is an online shared system used by every homelessness service provider and all local authorities in Ireland. The system provides real-time information in terms of h omelessness presentation and bed occupancy across the Dublin reg ion. The lead local authorities for homelessness in each region provide monthly repor ts on homelessness which identify the number of people using Statefunded emergency

in Ireland. The system provides real-time information in terms of h omelessness presentation and bed occupancy across the Dublin reg ion. The lead local authorities for homelessness in each region provide monthly repor ts on homelessness which identify the number of people using Statefunded emergency accommodation on a regional and county basis. These reports are collated into a national report on homelessness by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Information from PASS is used to publish the Quarterly Progress Report and the Monthly Homelessness Report. Type of count generated Point-in-time Flow (period) Note: Both PIT and flow data is collected. Methods Information management system on individuals experiencing homelessness. Lead authority(ies) Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Source(s) of information Data on people experiencing homelessness is submitted directly from local authorities to the department of housing, local government, and heritage through the PASS system.4  DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: IRELAND © OECD 2026

Scope National level Depth of data • Key demographic characteristics Frequency Ongoing; Data published monthly or quarterly.

ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges)

Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more subcategories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Notes and sources www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/

6.2. Census of Population Description All people living in Ireland must complete the Census. To reach peop le experiencing homelessness, Census Field officers conduct interviews a nd questionnaires with people experiencing homelessness in pre-selected establishments and locations. The method used to identify a person as homeless is agreed upon in advance at a meeting of the Census Homeless Methodology Liaison Group, which includes major stakeholders involved in providing services

questionnaires with people experiencing homelessness in pre-selected establishments and locations. The method used to identify a person as homeless is agreed upon in advance at a meeting of the Census Homeless Methodology Liaison Group, which includes major stakeholders involved in providing services to people experiencing homelessness. The Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) is also used to help identify establishments that provide support to people experiencing homelessness. In 2016, a count of rough sleepers took place on the night of the Census. This was o rganised by local authorities, in conjunction with the central statistics office and supported by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. Type of count generated Point-in-time Methods Census of the general population Street Count Lead authority(ies) Central Statistics Office (CSO) Source(s) of information General Population Scope National level Depth of data • Key demographic characteristics Frequency Every five years ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges)

Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more subcategories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Notes and sources https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpp6/censusofpopulation2022profile6-homelessness/homelesspeopleinireland/

Please refer to the OECD Affordable Housing Database, indicator HC3.1.Population experiencing homelessness, https://www.oecd.org/content/oecd/en/data/datasets/oecd-affordable-housingdatabase.html. 5

DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: IRELAND © OECD 2026

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DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: IRELAND © OECD 2026

This work is issued under the responsibility of the Secretar y-General of the OECD, and does not necessarily reflect the official views of OECD Member countries. This document was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union. This document, as well as any data and map included here in, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.

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