The number of homeless people living in emergency accommodation rose to 14,760 last month, according to official figures.
This includes 4,561 children and 2,133 families, the Department of Housing figures for September showed.
It was a 1.9 per cent increase on the previous month, when 14,486 people were homeless.
Wayne Stanley, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said that these could be the last figures released before a general election is called.
“It is often noted, but worth restating, that behind these figures are men, women and children who are suffering the trauma of homelessness – many for far too long.
“This is because of the failure of our housing system and successive governments in addressing it effectively.
“These will likely be the last figures released before a general election is called. If we are to turn the corner on homelessness, the next government has to take a proactive approach, and they have to be ambitious and genuinely committed to working toward ending homelessness by 2030.”
Catherine Kenny, chief executive of Dublin Simon Community, said that since the Dáil was last dissolved in 2020, homelessness has increased by 41 per cent.
“While there is no silver bullet, a future government needs to deliver a real integrated response,” she said.
“This must be a combined effort across government departments, in areas including health, equality, social protection and others.
“Recommendations from the Housing Commission report, revised targets on housing delivery and recent recommendations by the Dublin City Taskforce should be debated as to their merits and possibilities.”
