As part of the Irish Homeless Policy Group (IHPG), Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project had the opportunity to meet with Deputy Eoin Ó Broin at Leinster House on 12 February 2025 and present the IHPG’s 10 Key Actions on Homelessness for Ireland’s new Government.
Launched in early 2025, these urgent policy actions include:
- Develop collaborative structures to end homelessness
- Build enough homes
- End long-term homelessness by 2030
- Prioritise homeless prevention measures
- Ensure that nobody has to sleep rough, regardless of legal status
- Develop strategy for private rental sector
- Fully implement the youth homelessness strategy
- Introduce range of measures to tackle issues facing homeless families
- Improve mental health services for people experiencing homeless
- Improve to transparency of access to homeless services.
Deputy Ó Broin has publicly backed these 10 key actions, reaffirming that 2025 must be the year homelessness starts to decline, making it imperative for the next government to commit to meaningful change.
Priorities for the new Programme for Government
Discussing our priorities for the Programme for Government, we emphasised the need for targeted solutions for vulnerable groups, including returning Irish citizen households. Another key focus for the meeting was the introduction of an independent appeals system for homeless and social housing supports, ensuring greater accountability and transparency. Additionally, we explored effective future engagement with the new Oireachtas Housing Committee to drive forward these essential reforms.
Collaborative approach to tackling homelessness
This meeting reinforced the importance of collaboration between policymakers and frontline organisations in tackling homelessness. At Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project, we remain committed to strengthening our engagement with the IHPG and policymakers to advocate for Irish returnees. Homelessness remains one of the most pressing challenges affecting their reintegration, and we are dedicated to ensuring meaningful solutions are prioritized.
About the Irish Homeless Policy Group
The Irish Homeless Policy Group (IHPG) is a coalition of organisations working on the frontline of Ireland’s housing and homelessness crisis. Members include groups that provide direct housing support, advocacy, policy research, and legal interventions for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. United by a shared goal, we are committed to ending homelessness and have come together to outline concrete 10 key actions for the next government. This group brings together key NGOs, including Crosscare, Threshold, Simon Community, Depaul, COPE Galway, Respond, NOVAS, Irish Refugee Council, Mercy Law Resource Centre and Focus Ireland (chair) to address emerging challenges and advocate for systemic change.
