Another month has brought another new homelessness record, with more than half of all adults in emergency accommodation confirmed as non-Irish citizens.

According to the Monthly Homelessness Report for August 2026 published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage today, a total of 17,885 people were accessing State-funded emergency accommodation during the month.

The figures show that 12,055 adults and 5,830 children were living in emergency accommodation across the country, representing an increase from July 2026, when 17,527 people, including 5,659 children, were recorded in the system.

Of the 12,055 adults accessing emergency accommodation in August, only 6,018, or 49.9%, were Irish citizens.

Non-Irish citizens accounted for 6,037 adults, representing 50.1% of the adult total.

A breakdown of the figures reveals that 2,243 adults, or 18.6%, were citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom.

A further 3,794 adults, making up 31.5% of the total adult population in emergency accommodation, came from countries outside the EEA.

Across the country, 10,104 households were recorded in emergency accommodation.

Single households made up 7,304 of these, or 72.3%, while family households numbered 2,800, representing 27.7%.

Within those family units were 4,751 adults and 5,830 dependent children, bringing the total number of individuals in families to 10,581.

In terms of gender, 7,053 of the adults were male, representing 58.5%, while 5,002, or 41.5%, were female.

The report also indicates that adults aged between 25 and 44 formed the largest single age demographic at 6,263 people, or 52.0%.

A further 3,394 adults, or 28.2%, were aged between 45 and 64, while 2,127, or 17.6%, were aged between 18 and 24, and 271 people, or 2.2%, were aged 65 and over.

The issue of non-Irish citizens in emergency accommodation was previously discussed by Housing Minister James Browne in an interview published by Gript last year.

Speaking to reporters on November 12th, 2025, the Fianna Fáil Minister acknowledged the demographic breakdown of those accessing housing supports while facing questions over rising homeless figures.

When pressed by Gript on the fact that roughly half of the adults in emergency accommodation come from outside the State, Browne defended their entitlement to avail of the services.

“You know, we published that figure,” he remarked.

“Approximately 50% of people in emergency accommodation are not Irish citizens. However, they have a right to be here, and they have a right to housing supports.”

Browne also spoke at the time about the country’s rising population and the role that migrant workers play in the economy.

“Our population has been increasing significantly and I think that’s one of the unique aspects of our housing challenges compared to other EU countries that are also in housing crisis,” he explained

“We need people to support our economy and to provide services.

“People going in and helping older people and people with disabilities in their homes are very often migrants who are coming here to work in that industry, and we need those people coming.

He also addressed the common phenomenon of people leaving IPAS centres and ending up homeless.

Under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, individuals from certain jurisdictions can remain in the State subject to certain conditions.

One of these primary conditions dictates that the person does not become an unreasonable burden on the social assistance system of the State.