DUBLIN — In a decisive bid to confront Ireland’s most deep-seated social crisis, the Department of Housing has launched a nationwide public consultation to shape a first-of-its-kind Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. Announced on January 20, 2026, the initiative signals a shift in government strategy toward “targeted intervention” for the nation’s most vulnerable residents.
The plan emerges as a central pillar of the Government’s broader housing strategy, “Delivering Homes, Building Communities,” which recognizes that the current trajectory of family homelessness—affecting over 5,300 children as of early 2026—is unsustainable.
A Multi-Front Strategy for Stability
Minister for Housing James Browne TD emphasized that the upcoming plan will move beyond temporary shelter, focusing instead on three core objectives:
- Prevention: Implementing a National Homelessness Prevention Framework to stop families from entering emergency accommodation.
- Accelerated Exits: Utilizing a €100 million dedicated capital fund in 2026 specifically to acquire second-hand properties for families trapped longest in the system.
- Holistic Support: Addressing “non-housing” needs, including ring-fenced resources for child nutrition, mental health, and educational continuity.
“I will not allow this to be a plan that sits on paper,” Minister Browne stated. “I am conscious of the young people who are impacted by precarious living conditions every single night. They deserve better.”
By The Numbers: Housing Investment 2026
The 2026 budget represents a historic escalation in state spending, designed to “move the dial” on supply while providing a safety net for those currently unhoused.
| Investment Area | 2026 Funding Allocation | Target / Goal |
| Homeless Services | €563.5 Million | Emergency beds & prevention |
| Property Acquisitions | €100 Million | Buy 2nd-hand homes for long-term exits |
| New Social Housing | €2.9 Billion | Part of 10,200 new builds annually |
| Housing First | Expanded by 50% | 2,000+ tenancies for complex needs |
| Water Infrastructure | €2.2 Billion | Unlocking sites for 300,000 homes by 2030 |
Shaping the Future: Public Input
The Department is calling for submissions from NGOs, charities, and the general public to ensure the final document—due for publication in Q2 2026—is “well-rounded and responsive.”
Industry experts, including the Ombudsman for Children and major charities like Focus Ireland, have long advocated for such a cross-departmental approach. They argue that the “best interests of the child” must be legally codified in housing decisions to end the cycle of hotel-room childhoods and school disruptions.
Minister-for-Housing-James-Browne-TD-Wikimedia-Picture-by-European-Union
