The Peter McVerry Trust, a charity supporting young homeless people, expects a 15 per cent increase in those using its services this year.
The charity, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2013, has been working throughout the year to expand its services.
“The total number of individuals who received support from our services in 2011 was 1,300,” trust chief executive Pat Doyle said. “However, by October this year we had exceeded that figure. We now expect to work with over 1,500 people by the end of 2012.
“Despite the extra pressure on services, we continue to ensure . . . that no one is turned away.”
The charity wants to increase the number of independent housing units it can provide to the homeless. It recently received formal approval from Fingal County Council for a loan to buy 10 apartments in Santry and it will lease a further nine residential units in Dublin 11.
The charity has also taken over management of a hostel on Camden Street which has been full almost every night.
It hopes its corporate Christmas campaign will raise €115,000 to fund its open access service centre on Sherrard Street.