Budget 2025 reaction: 'So little done' for those at sharpest end of housing crisis

A group representing some of Ireland’s leading homeless and housing charities has sharply criticised Budget 2025, saying it has done little to help those most in need.

The Simon Communities of Ireland is a network representing eight independent Simon Communities across the country, each one of which helps people living in homelessness.

Last week, the latest figures from the Department of Housing showed the number of people in emergency homeless accommodation had reached a new record high of 14,486 in Ireland.

Reacting to Tuesday’s budget, Wayne Stanley, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, expressed disappointment on behalf of the charities.

“It is extraordinary that so much money could be expended and yet, so little done for those at the sharpest end of the housing crisis,” Mr Stanley said.

He gave a qualified welcome to the increase in the vacant homes tax, which is to rise from 5% to 7%-times the Local Property Tax rate from November, and to the increase to social protection payments by €12.

“We welcome the vacant homes tax, though we are concerned that it is insufficient to drive change,” Mr Stanley said.

“Similarly, the increase in social welfare rate will be welcomed by those receiving them, but we know that it is not a sufficient buffer to work as a protection to low-income households to prevent homelessness.” Mr Stanley criticised the decision not to increase the annual delivery of social housing beyond the Government’s current target of 10,000 social homes per year under its Housing For All strategy.

“The big picture is that the State needs to be working towards delivering 15,000 social homes a year,” he said.

“The Government has acknowledged that the current targets are insufficient.” He added that in its pre-budget submission, the Simon Communities of Ireland had proposed an increase to fund the development of 12,500 social homes to move Ireland closer to the a target of 15,000 social homes per year.

“The Budget has delivered a stay the course allocation for the 10,000 social homes in line with Housing For All,” Mr Stanley said.

“This is simply insufficient and we see another budget where the rhetoric of homelessness being a ‘top priority’ is not in evidence.”