Little improvement in homeless figures in Louth
Homeless Report March 2025
There was little change in the number of people accessing local authority managed emergency accommodation in March in the North East region, which comprises Louth, Cavan and Monaghan, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The number of adults who accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation in March fell by just one compared to the previous month, with 166 adults recorded during the week of 23-29 March 2026 in the North East region, down from 167 in February. Of the 166 adults: 149 were in Louth, and 17 were in Monaghan and Cavan combined.
108 were male and 58 were female. 30 were aged 18-24 years old; 86 were aged 25-44; 44 were aged 45-64; and six were aged 65 and over.
117 were Irish citizens; 19 were EEA/UK citizens; and 30 were non-EEA citizens.
There was a slight fall however, in the number of families accessing local authority managed emergency accommodation in the North East in March.
17 families with 34 children accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 23-29 March 2026 in the North East region, down from 20 families with 43 children in February.
Nationally, 11,946 adults and 5,571 children, giving a total of 17,517 people were recorded as homeless in March. This is up from 17,308 in February, and is yet another record high in the number of people recorded as homeless in the State.
Commenting on the latest figures, Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dundalk Simon Community, said: “Given the growing pressures on the system, unfortunately, there’s no surprise. At this point, it’s clear that the Government has not delivered a solution.
"For years, this crisis has been allowed to spiral out of control. Instead of concrete solutions, we are seeing more catalysts pushing people into homelessness. Be it the increases in notices of termination from those in private rental sector, or the number who are voluntarily leaving Direct Provision system to stay in place, the Government’s own policies are driving people towards emergency accommodation.
"A few strokes of a pen have taken roofs from over people’s heads. Those in power must recognise the consequences of their actions. In order to meaningfully respond to this crisis, they must address the causes, whether new or old, which are driving people into homelessness.”
“We cannot forget that each month we discuss figures, we are talking about real people’s lives. We are talking about parents, sons, daughters, and even grandparents. It has grown into a generational crisis, with no one single cause.
"People from all walks of life can end up without a place to call home for a variety of reasons. It is because of this that solving this crisis requires a multifaceted approach. We know what the solutions are, the whole sector has been urging the government with very specific asks, but the action is too slow compared to the pressures.”