Louth homeless numbers on the rise again after dip at Christmas

Following a slight fall during the Christmas period, homeless numbers in Louth and the North East region rose again in January, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

165 adults accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 19-25 January 2026 in the North East region, up from 155 in December. Of the 155 adults: 142 were in Louth, up from 142 in December; and 23 were in Monaghan and Cavan combined, the same number as recorded in December.

Of the 165 adults in January, 104 were male and 61 were female. 34 were aged 18-24 years old; 86 aged 25-44; 40 were aged 45-64; and five were aged 65 years old and over.

113 were Irish citizens; 25 were EEA/UK citizens; and 27 were non-EEA citizens.

There was also a rise in the number of families accessing local authority managed emergency accommodation in the North East in January.

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20 families, with 43 children were recorded as having accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 19-25 January 2026, up from 18 families with 35 children in December.

Nationally, 11,793 adults and 5,319 children, giving a total of 17,112 people, were recorded as homelesstate.in January. This is up from 16,734 in December when a fall was recorded in homeless numbers, and is the highest number of people ever recorded as homeless in the State.

This figure that does not account for those rough sleeping, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those in hidden homelessness—people sleeping in cars, on couches, or in unsuitable living conditions.

Commenting on the latest figures, Dundalk Simon Community said that the first figures of the year underline that the crisis remains deeply entrenched and that sustained pressure across housing, affordability and support systems continues to push people into homelessness. 

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dundalk Simon Community, said, “Sadly, another social injustice milestone has been reached with record homeless figures. As numbers continue to grow, the Government must move with action to deliver solutions that will have the most impact.

"It is essential that at both a national and local level every effort is made to increase housing supply and ensure people can move out of emergency accommodation into secure homes. For the thousands counted by the system, and the many others outside of official record, there needs to finally be a sustained response to what is truly the crisis of a generation.” 

“As new rental regulations come into effect, it is important to recognise how closely homelessness is tied to conditions in the private rental market. In Dublin, 1 in 4 households who become homeless come from the private rental market, citing notices of termination and affordability as the reasons.

"Measures that the Government has outlined in the new housing plan need to be implemented immediately and the review of HAP is paramount to improve access and affordability to those who rely on private rental accommodation as a housing option. Equally so, it is important to ensure prevention measures are in place for people at risk of losing their homes.

"Strong prevention — including security and affordability — is essential if we are to stem the flow into homelessness.” 

“Alongside increasing housing supply and prevention measures, the continued provision of health and addiction services help people move on and remain housed. Housing alone is not enough — people need the right supports to sustain tenancies and rebuild stability.”