New data from the Department of Housing shows 121 adults were in emergency accommodation in Waterford in September 2025. The figures do not account for those who are ‘rough sleeping’ or staying with family or friends.

This is the highest September figure on record and the second-highest overall total since records began in 2016.

Highest in South East

Waterford continues to record the highest level of adult homelessness in the South East region.

The county has more than twice as many people in emergency accommodation as Wexford, and almost three times the number recorded in Carlow.

National Homelessness Continues to Rise

Across Ireland, homelessness continues to rise with 16,614 people homeless in Ireland as of October 2025 according to figures from the Department of Housing.

In recent days, the Department of Finance has warned that housing supply challenges could persist for another 15 years.

The Minister for Housing, James Browne said the Government’s new housing plan is due in the next two weeks and will tackles homelessness.

However, Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane has said the figures are “totally unacceptable”

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