Homelessness in Mayo is increasing, with Ballina councillors warning the situation is becoming frightening. Seven new homeless presentations were made in the Ballina Municipal District in April. By May 2026, there were 57 homeless presentations across Mayo, with the highest monthly figure in January at 22. Private emergency accommodation use peaked in April, with 193 adults and 70 children using services. Councillors linked the rise to soaring rents and affordability pressures following rental sector reforms. Average rent for a three-bedroom home in Mayo rose 9.8% over the past year to €1,543. Councillors also pointed to derelict properties and urged more CPOs to return homes to use.
"It's a sad case today that so many people are coming to us as councillors after either being put out of houses or else their rent is exceeding what they can afford to pay."
"It's something that is growing, and it's down to people not being able to pay the rents that are being asked by [landlords]."
"Years ago, we wouldn't have mentioned homeless cases in this municipal area, but it is getting frightening. It is something we are going to have to deal with a lot more, unfortunately,"
"Figures from the latest Daft.ie report, published on May 20, showed the average rent for a three-bedroom home in Mayo increased by 9.8pc over the past year to €1,543."
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