The number of people seeking help from homeless charity, the Simon Communities of Ireland, has risen by 26% over a two-year period.

According to the charity's Annual Report 2015, during 2014 and 2015, it supported almost 8,300 people nationwide who were experiencing homelessness - an increase of more than a quarter during this period.

However, despite the charity helping to move some people out of homelessness, the number of those in emergency accommodation, such as hotels, has continued to rise and thousands now face the prospect of spending Christmas in such accommodation.

"There will be nearly 7,000 people spending Christmas Day trapped in emergency accommodation, many feeling hopeless and forgotten. Without shelter, safety and security it is almost impossible to function, to participate in society and to get involved in your community. The Simon Communities will continue to let people know they have not been forgotten and left behind and that this is not acceptable for any man, woman or child in Ireland in 2017," commented Simon's national spokesperson, Niamh Randall.

She acknowledged that there have been some ‘significant shifts' in homeless and housing policies, but she emphasised that ongoing action in this area is needed.

She said that the launch of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness this year and a more collaborative approach from the Government ‘was significant', as it committed to ending the trauma of housing insecurity and homelessness for many people nationwide.

"This is the most comprehensive housing plan ever in the State, bringing together social housing, private housing, the private rented sector and homelessness. For too long these areas have been dealt with separately, missing the point that they are intrinsically linked.

"However, 2017 must herald more urgent action. Rapid implementation is required to keep pace with demand and to keep people in their homes thus stemming the flow of people into homelessness," she commented.

She said that the recently announced strategy for the rental sector represents ‘a seismic shift in policy' in terms of attempting to limit rent increases thorough new rent predictability measures.

However, she noted that the charity is concerned about areas which do not fall within designated ‘rent pressure zones' and she pointed out that a 4% increase per annum is significant, particularly for renting households that are already struggling.

For more information on the Simon Communities of Ireland, click here