Ep 38: Lone Parents and Homelessness in Ireland: Insightful Findings and Policy Recommendations

In this episode of Master My Balance host, Melissa, is joined by Dr Sarah Sheridan, an independent researcher, to discuss her recent Focus Ireland report; Lone Parents and Homelessness in Ireland.Lone parents make up the majority of homeless families in Ireland, but the reasons go far beyond individual choices. Together, Melissa and Sarah unpack the scale of lone parenthomelessness, how it is measured, and what every day financial life looks like for families living with housing insecurity.The conversation explores poverty before homelessness, pathways into housing loss, childcare barriers, and the constant trade-offs lone parents are forced to make just to get by, highlighting the structural pressures that shape these experiences. What you’ll learn:• Who is counted in Irish homelessness statistics and why the official monthly figures miss many vulnerable families.• The financial realities of lone parents – from welfare‑benefit cliffs and HAP top‑ups to skyrocketing childcare costs.• How poverty traps and benefit‑income thresholds keep families “stuck”.• The role of child‑maintenance, the recent reforms, and the stress of family‑court processes.• Real‑world barriers: childcare access, activation measures, and the stigma that shapes service interactions. Key take‑aways for anyone interested in financial literacy and well‑being: • Financial insecurity often predates homelessness, not the other way round.•  “Financial management” isn’t the issue; the lack of adequate income is.•  Effective financial‑well‑being programs must consider benefit‑design, childcare, housing stability, and personal strengths together. 📄 Key Resource MentionedFull Report: Lone Parents and Homelessness in Ireland https://www.focusireland.ie/knowledge-hub/research/🔔Author of Report, Sarah Sheridan, contact detailsResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Sheridan-2Contact email: [email protected]#LoneParents #Homelessness #IrelandHousing #FocusIreland #SocialWelfare #Childcare #HousingPolicy #PovertyTrap #MasterMyBalance