Housing in Practice – Ireland

Ireland, like the rest of the European Union, is facing a severe housing crisis, with a lack of supply, increased homelessness and demands for social housing. Vulnerable groups, especially women, are the first to suffer from this situation. Housing insecurity, exacerbated by the gender pay gap, is a major concern for women, especially for single mothers. It increases the risk of poverty, social exclusion, mental health issues, and gender-based violence. This is also a central issue for the LGBTQI+ community, which disproportionately faces harassment, rental scams and structural poverty.  

10% of people in emergency accommodation in Ireland live on Gardiner Street in the heart of Dublin’s historic city centre, including a large number of women and children. The accommodation is predominantly not fit for purpose and overcrowded. With this Irish edition of “Housing in Practice”, we learned how community services, such as the Ozanam House, provide for those in need. We also explored how progressive policies for affordable housing can advance gender equality, reduce discrimination and contribute to the eradication of homelessness and poverty in the EU. This edition took place at the sidelines of “Call to Europe – Ireland”, taking place on 16-17 October 2026 in Dublin.  

This event was part of FEPS’ “Housing in Practice” series, a collaboration with FEPS members and progressive local and regional leaders, which offers a platform for housing actors on the ground, such as urban planners, architects, community land trusts and civil society, to engage and test their ideas with policymakers and experts.  

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact François Balate, FEPS Policy Analyst (francois.balate@feps-europe.eu) and Vanessa Zwisele, FEPS Project Officer (vanessa.zwisele@feps-europe.eu).