Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has accused the government of spending more on homeless emergency accommodation than preventative measures.
Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“Just days after 15,580 people were confirmed as homeless – another grim milestone – details of the financial cost of providing emergency accommodation have emerged in the media.
“It has been revealed that the State is paying up to €180,000 per year for every family forced into emergency accommodation. With some families stuck there for two to three years, it would be more cost effective for the government to directly build new social homes, or provide increased funding to local authorities for the tenant-in-situ scheme.
“Spending on emergency accommodation has increased significantly in recent years. In 2024, almost €361 million was spent on emergency accommodation.
“Over two years, the funding going to emergency accommodation would build at least 2,200 permanent social homes – providing housing for all homeless families in two years.
“It is perverse to be cutting funding on homeless prevention measures such as the tenant-in situ scheme but then having to increase spending on emergency accommodation.
“This scheme is a vital anti-homelessness tool that could make a real difference to families and individuals wishing to remain in their rental properties when their landlord is selling up.
“However, some local authorities – including Dublin City Council – have had to pause new applications for the tenant-in-situ scheme for 2025 due to a lack of government funding. In the capital alone – where demand for housing is higher – this is putting more than 100 families at risk of imminent homelessness.
“This goes against the commitment made by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in 2023, when they lifted the eviction ban, that they would provide protections for renters by increasing investment in the tenant-in-situ scheme.
“The government also recently stopped funding for some new builds of social housing via Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
“Forcing families into homeless emergency accommodation is a social disaster. But the figures published today show that, from a financial perspective, this sticking plaster solution to the housing crisis also flies in the face of common sense.”
June 5, 2025