The number of people supported by the homeless charity, Focus Ireland, rose by over 12% last year.
More than 1,850 families engaged with the service in 2023, up 11% on the previous year, the charity's latest annual report has shown.
There was a rise of almost 2,000 in the number of people who sought help from the charity last year compared to 2022.
A total of 1,851 families engaged with the service, up 11% on the previous year, but 480 families were either supported in staying in their own homes or exiting homelessness.
There were 14,429 people in emergency accommodation in July, figures released by the Department of Housing on Friday showed.
More than 4,400 of those were children, which Focus Ireland's founder Sister Stanislaus Kennedy described as utterly unacceptable.
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Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan has described 2023 as "another challenging year" due to the rising numbers.
Focus Ireland's Family Centre, Family Homeless Action Team and other family services supported 486 families with children out of homelessness last year.
In the past three months, the charity has also managed to help nearly 100 families secure homes due to what it has described as "collaboration with the State".
Mr Dennigan has said this was largely down to "improved access" to social housing for families trapped in long-term homelessness.
He called on the Government to adopt a policy that dedicates a portion of the new social housing supply to long-term homeless families.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Dennigan said that the number of homeless people has been increasing monthly over the last few years and is far too high.
He said that homelessness and housing are closely interlinked but they are not the same issue.
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Homelessness needs to be examined in a more holistic way, he said, and supports put in place to ensure people can keep their homes in the future.
Mr Dennigan said 'good chinks of light' are being seen around available social housing. However more one bedded and family accommodation are needed, he added.
Sister Stan said it was "utterly unacceptable" that more than 4,400 children were homeless.
She said everyone needed to take greater action to stop the crisis.
"Children who are homeless face the risk of losing their childhoods. Our specially trained staff work tirelessly to support families and children through targeted services, helping them navigate homelessness and transition to secure housing," she said.
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