A record number of people are registered as homeless in Ireland for the seventh month in a row.
The Department of Housing figures show the total has reached 11,754.
The total for January is 28% higher than a year ago, and 41% up on two years ago.
11,754 people were registered as homeless last month and accessing emergency accommodation.
It includes 3,431 children - which is the highest number of children growing up in B&Bs and hotels in almost three years.
Dublin makes up 72% of the national figure where there's a total of 8,523 people homeless - including 2,577 children.
Housing charity Focus Ireland has called on the Government to extend the eviction ban which is due to lifted from the end of next month.
The figures released by the Department of Housing do not include refugees, asylum seekers, women in refuge centres, the hidden homeless, or rough sleepers.
"Deeply Worried"
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community says: "We are deeply worried by the increase in the number of homeless people staying in emergency accommodation in Dublin. This first set of figures released for 2023 is very troubling. With rising rents, an exodus of landlords leaving the market, fewer properties available for purchase, the ending of the eviction ban and the shortage of rental and HAP properties, we are experiencing a confluence of crises in this country. It is difficult to contemplate; should the floodgates open, homeless services will be stretched to capacity and beyond looking to assist everyone who needs our help.
"There are now 8,523 people staying in emergency accommodation in Dublin. 5,946 people are adults, and 3,943 people are single adults. There are 1,165 families, including 2,577 children. This marks an exponential increase in the number of homeless people staying in emergency accommodation, with a rise of 31% seen in the last 12 months. (There were 6,508 people staying in emergency accommodation in Dublin in January of 2022. 4,580 were adults, and 3,194 were single adults. There were 821 families in emergency accommodation, including 1,928 children).
"Behind the statistics are real people. Through no fault of their own, they are unable to afford to rent, and unable to afford to buy a home. They cannot move forward with their lives and the lives of their families. Single people are significantly impacted, with a limited amount of suitable 1 and 2 bed properties for them to rent or purchase. Ireland is an economic success story, yet there are far too many people who do not have homes of their own. It is little wonder that so many feel powerless and disenfranchised.
"We need more homes and we need them now."
