Number of people in Kilkenny in emergency accommodation hits worrying milestone

The number of people accessing emergency accommodation in Kilkenny during the last week of November 2025 was 50, according to the latest homelessness report from the Department of Housing.

This latest report is an increase of two people when compared to the previous month (48) and an increase of five when compared to September (45).

These figures only represent the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities.

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They do not include those being accommodated by private providers or those who may be couch-surfing and/or sleeping rough.

Given typical weather conditions, winter can be a particularly vulnerable time to be homeless, and local emergency accommodation providers such as The Good Shepherd Centre have been doing their utmost to ensure nobody is left out in the cold.

The homeless shelter, based in Kilkenny, have recently reported that they have successfully operated an extra 26 emergency beds across Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary in attempts to save lives during freezing weather conditions.

Liam Keane, chairperson of Tar Isteach Housing, said that the activation of these beds was ‘a remarkable achievement by our staff’, but also stated that more needs to be done at national level.

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“But let us be clear, this cannot become the norm,” he said.

“Emergency beds save lives, but they are not a solution. Everyone deserves a permanent home.”

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