The number of people in emergency accommodation in Dublin has increased by 1,500 since last year, according to figures released this afternoon.
Despite the extra beds on offer there were still more than 90 people on the streets during this year's rough sleeper count.
The figures released by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive show that the actual number of rough sleepers is down on last year - 91 during the count in November compared to 168 last year.
But most of this reduction is accounted for by the Merchants Quay Cafe which allowed 61 people to sleep on mattresses.
The number of people in emergency accommodation has increased by 1,569 over the 12 months.
There were a total of 3,766 men, women and children in emergency accommodation on the night of the count - which is a 71% increase on last year.
Cathal Morgan of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive said most of the increase is due to families becoming homeless because of the lack of affordable rental accommodation.
The Executive's report also states that of the 91 people still on the streets around one third "do not access emergency accommodation".
The Dublin Simon Community has described the latest figures as "shocking".
The voluntary group also claims that emergency accommodation is regularly full, which forces people onto the streets.
The Homeless Executive insists though that there is enough capacity to cope.
An extra 20 beds will be made available by the Civil Defence if the temperature falls below zero for three consecutive nights.
Charity delivers warning as rents continue to rise
The Simon Community has warned that rising rents are continuing to force more people into homelessness after the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) revealed that monthly rents were 8.6% higher at the end of September compared with the same period last year.
The increase is comprised of a 7.7% rise in the price of rent for houses, while apartment rents were 9% higher than at the same time in 2014.
There was a minor difference in the growth rate in Dublin and in the rest of the country, with rents increasing by 8.7% in the capital and by 8.5% across the rest of the country.
In terms of property type, the average rent for apartments nationally was €945, compared to €866 in September 2014, and the rent for a house was €873, compared to €810 last year.
In Dublin, the rent for a house was €1,408 and €1,265 for an apartment.
The PRTB also said that rents in Dublin are now only 2.3% below their highest point, which was recorded in the final quarter of 2007.
In a statement, the Simon Community said this showed that rent supplement must be increased immediately to support people to remain in the homes they have and to enable those in emergency accommodation to access the private rental market.
The organisation said there are over 5,000 men, women and children currently in emergency accommodation.
Simon national spokesperson, Niamh Randall, said: "This is a national emergency, people are being priced out of the private rental sector, which not only puts them at risk of homelessness but also prevents people from moving out of homelessness.
"Growing numbers of people are stuck in emergency accommodation trying to go about daily living; sleeping, eating, playing, doing homework all in the one tiny space.
"The trauma of this and the stress for those sharing dormitory style accommodation can have a long lasting impact. This is not a solution to homelessness."
The organisation is also calling on the Government to increase housing supply.
The Peter McVerry Trust has highlighted the challenges that exist in finding and securing suitable accommodation for single people, a factor which the charity believes is making the homeless situation especially challenging.
"It is extremely difficult for a single person to secure private rented accommodation given the costs involved in renting at the moment which today's PRTB figures only confirm," said Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust.
"The number of local authority units for single people is also limited as social housing has been built for the traditional family unit.
"Addressing the lack of accommodation options for single homeless people could significantly reduce the number of rough sleepers and individuals in homeless accommodation," added Mr Doyle.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, PRTB director Anne Marie Caulfield said that while it was not clear yet if speculation surrounding the introduction of new legislation on rent control caused a surge in rents in the three months to September, there was an increase in calls to the board from landlords and tenants inquiring about such measures.
Ms Caulfield said the number of people now living in private rented accommodation has doubled in the last number of years, with one in five households living in the private rented sector.
She said the increase in rents in commuter counties was down to people moving further from the capital to get better value for money.
Meanwhile, the Irish Property Owners' Association, which represents private landlords, has said the sector is struggling and many landlords are facing an unsustainable situation.
In a statement, the IPOA said: "The private rental sector is not responsible for the homelessness that some people are sadly experiencing, the Department of Social Protection reduced rent supplement numerous times when rents were decreasing but they have not increased it sufficiently as the market recovered."
Threshold Chairperson not surprised by figures
The Chairperson of Threshold has said she is not surprised at figures highlighting a rise in rents.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, Labour Senator Aideen Hayden said rent rises are higher at the lower end of the market.
She said there is a real issue for low income and vulnerable families.
Ms Hayden said the measures taken by Government have been important, adding the impact of the rent freeze is not insignificant and will help to stem the tide of homelessness.
She said this has provided a two-year breathing space.
Ms Hayden also said that NAMA needs to be doing more in terms of providing housing units.
