Homelessness in Ireland Hits Record High

0:00It's March 27. You're listening to Europe News today, AI-powered coverage from every European capital. Emergency homeless accommodation in Ireland hit a record high of 17,308 people by the end of February. That breaks down to 11,851 adults and 5,457 children, both all-time peaks. The figure climbed from 17,112 the month before, marking a steady rise over years. These numbers do not even count those sleeping rough or in hospitals and shelters, and they show pressures building right before new rental rules. Kicked in on March 1. Over the past 10 years, usage has nearly tripled from 5,811. The government says the reforms will give renters more security and spur more housing supply. Key changes include nationwide rent caps tied to inflation or 2%, six-year minimum tendencies for new rentals and bans on no-fall evictions, by big landlords with 4 or more properties.

1:03Small landlords face limits too, and they cannot jump rents to market rates right away after ending a lease. These shifts come amid heated debate, with critics warning of higher rents and more evictions down the line as services strain to keep up.