There has been a marked increase in the number of families recorded as being homeless since the start of the year.
New figures, published by the government, also indicate a significant rise in the number of families living in hotels in Dublin.
The death of a man who was homeless, on Molesworth Street next to Dáil Éireann in 2014, put the issue of homelessness high on the political agenda. The government pledged €25 million to address the issue but the latest figures indicate that the homeless crisis has deepened.
According to the latest official figures for June 2015, 620 families were recorded as homeless, up 55 per cent since January. There are now 1,318 homeless children, up 52 per cent since January. 531 of the homeless families are in the Dublin region. 373 of these families are living in hotels, up 73 per cent since the beginning of the year. The number of new families presenting to homeless services each month is up 38 per cent.
Rising rents, cuts to rent allowances, lack of private rental accommodation and social housing are all contributing to the problem, according to homeless agencies.
Niamh Randall of the Simon Community says that it is not possible for families to live normal lives in one hotel room and warns that the impact of being homeless is traumatic.
What we're seeing is whole families living in one hotel room.
The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive says demand for its services from families is unprecedented. In the first six months of 2015, it spent over €4.5 million on hotel accommodation for families.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 August 2015. The reporter is Samantha Libreri.
