In this paper the intersection between low income employment, insecure housing options and the limits to the forms of social protection available to immigrants in Ireland is presented. The interplay between low income levels, insecure employment, limited housing options and restricted social protection has led to some migrants being at risk of becoming homeless. In the Dublin region, a project was set up in response to an increased number of migrants accessing homeless services.

Immigration to Ireland is dominated by two broad national groupings: Irish nationals, and nationals from the EU-12. Recent studies also show that immigrants have lost jobs at a faster rate, and earlier, than Irish nationals since the onset of the recession in Ireland (Goodwin-White 2013). This means that they are more likely to experience unemployment or underemployment.

Despite the growing concern with homelessness as an issue for migrants across Europe, there are limits on the forms of social protection available to immigrants in Ireland who are at risk of becoming homeless. These limits are enforced through two key mechanisms, the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) and the “right to reside” test.