A new survey by Focus Ireland, carried out by Empathy Research, reveals just how much of a national emergency homelessness has now become – (MSN.com):
- 97% of business leaders see homelessness as a critical or significant issue.
- Only 25% of businesses have engaged in initiatives to help.
- Almost 16,000 people (including 5,000 children) are homeless in Ireland today.
- 83% of business leaders want the Government to prioritise long-term social housing in the next budget.
- 16% of businesses say homelessness is affecting them directly, especially in recruitment and retention.
Focus Ireland, alongside other humanitarian organisations, continues to do incredible work providing emergency support for the homeless with initiatives like the annual Shine A Light Sleep Out.
But the findings show that while charities are stepping up, the crisis is worsening and structural solutions are being neglected.
Read the article HERE.
Analysing Takeaways from the Article.
1. A Small Sample Survey, But a Clear Signal.
In the article, the survey covered just over 100 businesses; which to me is not a large sample. Initially, I worried that the sample was too small to properly represent Irish businesses on a national scale. But when nearly everyone surveyed agrees that homelessness is a critical issue, such a result is pretty hard to dismiss.
Though not as high as 97%, I believe that an even larger survey would likely reveal a similar result. Homelessness is Ireland is no longer an issue we can afford to ignore or postpone.
2. The Role of Businesses – and the Failure of the State.
In the article, only 25% of businesses have engaged in initiatives to support people experiencing homelessness. While I understand the need for businesses to try to do their part, I also wonder about the makeup of the businesses involved. Many small and medium businesses are simply trying to get by, and the responsibility to resolve homelessness should not fall on them – but the state.
When businesses are called on to “do their bit” through charity events, it may help at the margins, but it also underlines a larger truth – the state has failed its citizens by not delivering secure, affordable housing.
3. Tax, Wealth, and Responsibility.
There is also a troubling contradiction we are all aware of by now.
While citizens, small and medium businesses contribute their fair share (or more) in taxes; corporations and the ultra-wealthy have access to every sophisticated loophole imaginable to greatly reduce their tax liabilities. To be honest, I do not have an estimate as to how much tax has been avoided, but we can be certain that the amount in question could go a long way in resolving homelessness in Ireland.
These lost revenues could have funded thousands of social housing units. Local businesses, community groups and schools will sleep out in communities across Ireland this October 10th to raise funds and awareness, while those with the deepest pockets avoid their share of responsibility.
4. Social Housing Delivery Still Slow.
Perhaps the most telling part of the research is that 83% of business leaders want the government to prioritise long-term social housing in the next budget. In Quarter 1 2025, 646 new social homes were delivered across Ireland, while 10,000 new build social homes are expected to be built in 2025. (GOV.ie)
Do with that information what you will.
Why Modular Housing Must Be Part of the Solution.
To greatly speed up the delivery of social housing, I will continue to say that this is where modular housing techniques can play a vital role. Modular construction is:
- Faster – quality homes can be delivered in a fraction of the time of traditional builds. This is due to the efficient factory-building process, and a lack of interruption due to weather.
- More cost-effective – modular homes can be 10–15% cheaper than conventional housing when planned correctly. A great advantage is also that they can be outsourced if necessary.
- Scalable – entire communities can be planned and built efficiently. Plans for entire estates can be systematised and mass-produced.
Ireland cannot continue to rely on short-term fixes. The scale of the crisis demands structural solutions – and modular housing offers one of the fastest, most realistic paths to deliver large volumes of quality homes for social housing.
To read more blog posts on modular homes, read HERE.
CONCLUSION.
Homelessness is no longer just a social issue; it is an economic one, a moral one, and a national responsibility. Focus Ireland and other humanitarian groups continue to show extraordinary leadership, but they cannot solve this crisis alone.
It is time for the Government to put long-term social housing, supported by modern modular construction, at the centre of its response.
And for the rest of us, while we may not have the power to rewrite policy, we can still play a role. Whether through supporting charity organisations, raising awareness, or simply keeping the pressure on policymakers, we can all help in some way.
Kindly support Focus Ireland’s Shine A Light Initiative today.
