The number of people living in emergency accommodation in Ireland rose to 17,482 in June, marking a 10% increase over the past 12 months.
The latest figures from the Department of Housing reveal that more than 5,600 children are currently residing in temporary housing arrangements, highlighting the persistent pressure on the country's social housing infrastructure.
The data underscores the ongoing challenge of housing supply shortages and rising costs, which continue to drive families into emergency accommodation.
While the overall figure represents a slight month-on-month increase, the year-on-year growth signals a deepening crisis that policymakers have struggled to reverse despite various intervention measures.
This development adds to the growing scrutiny on the government's housing strategy, as advocates and opposition parties call for more aggressive action to address the root causes of homelessness.
The rising numbers come at a time when construction starts have yet to fully meet the demand, leaving many households vulnerable to displacement.