The homelessness crisis is placing unprecedented pressure on frontline services, with a sharp rise in families seeking help, according to homeless charity Depaul.
When Aisling Dekker’s HAP tenancy fell through, she entered homeless accommodation, which was at a hub “miles” from Dublin city.
Each morning, she drove her children two hours to school – both of whom received gold stars at the end of the year for not missing a day.
There were no kitchen facilities in the accommodation; the family was in one room and shared one bed.
“It was crazy,” she said. “Just crazy.”
They were then moved on to other accommodation with a little kitchenette, but it was still a distance from the school.
Depaul’s 2025 Impact Report has warned that greater investment in homelessness prevention, permanent housing and mental health and addiction services are urgently needed.
A social worker who had been helping the Dekker family changed their lives when they were moved into Depaul’s Rendu apartments for women and children in Dublin city.
They now have their own apartment, cooking facilities and wraparound support.
For the first time in years, the children have settled; the youngest declaring it was “home sweet home” when they arrived back to the apartment earlier that day.
Read more: ‘Harsh reality’ for five babies born into emergency accommodation last year
Homelessness had a “huge impact” on her children, but Ms Dekker commends their resilience.
“They bounce back like, but obviously they’ve had their moments through it and they’ve had sad days. But look, they know there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Like even being here, it’s more structure for them,” she said.
For Ms Dekker, Depaul has offered her family a fresh start.
“There are so many memories that my kids will take from here. Like, lovely memories and lovely people that they’ve met that have had a huge impact on shaping who they are.
“I just hope we never have to go through this again. And I hope that any family that is struggling and going through it, that they can get through it and they get the help that they need.”
There are nine families currently on the waiting list for Depaul’s Rendu apartments, and there is no slowdown in referrals.
While the charity delivered significant results last year in moving people out of emergency accommodation and into long-term homes, it has pointed to the ongoing housing crisis and the cost-of-living crisis as putting “unprecedented pressure” on frontline services.
Depaul has urged the Government to take action in Budget 2027 by increasing investment in social and affordable housing, funding a homelessness prevention framework as well as mental health and addiction supports.