Homeless figures in Cork will continue to rise unless big changes are introduced to stem the tide.
That's the warning from Cork Simon which has described the latest homeless figures as "alarming".
Paul Sheehan of Cork Simon was reacting to the news that 440 adults were recorded as homeless on Leeside in the last week of October, the highest monthly figure in Cork in two years.
He says the number of people in emergency accommodation began to rise in April when the moratorium on evictions and rent increases were lifted.
Speaking to RedFM News Paul Sheehan says the numbers will keep climbing until measure are taken to ease the pressure on the rental market.
"There's going to be no change to the housing crisis in the next few months. And you could argue in the next 12 months, but there's no sign of the pressure on the rental market easing.
"I think people that are depending on HAP for their private rented accommodation are at a disadvantage because in many cases, landlords would prefer to rent to somebody who's working, who has a deposit or cash in hand.
"I think as as the pressure continues on the housing market, there's no question that we're going to see more people being pushed into homelessness and being forced to depend on emergency accommodation."
