Today, there are parents distressed at the thought of how they will tell their child they are losing their home.

How do you explain to your little one that they will have to leave their bedroom, leave their friends and school, and leave their belongings?

Last month, 5,659 children were experiencing homelessness; 5,659 children know what that feels like.

According to the latest Daft.ie rental reports, there were fewer than 1,800 homes available to rent nationwide in early 2026, the lowest level recorded in the series going back to 2006.

Meanwhile, it is stated that there are tens of thousands of properties advertised on Airbnb, Dublin alone had around 6,880 such listings.

Ireland has approximately 20,000 derelict residential properties and over 82,000 vacant homes, giving a combined total of more than 100,000 vacant or derelict residential properties nationwide. A recent report revealed €90,000 is now the income level required to buy an average priced house in Cork.

Housing is viewed as a commodity, rather than a home, and every child needs to have a safe and secure home as a necessity to facilitate them to achieve their potential.

For these families, long-term thinking is a luxury. They cannot promise that things will only be like this for a night. Or promise that by Christmas they will have a home of their own........

© Evening Echo