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	As shocking new figures show that as many as 20 Dublin families are being made homeless every month, campaigners are warning that it could be the thin end of the wedge as a series of economic and social factors have come together to create the &quot;perfect storm&quot;.</p>
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	An average of 15 to 20 families are presenting as homeless in the capital each month, part of a dramatic rise in numbers in a trend that Housing Minister Jan O&#39;Sullivan has described as increasingly worrying.</p>
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	&quot;Anecdotal evidence suggests that the most common reason for such an increase is rent arrears for families residing in private rented accommodation,&quot; she said.</p>
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	&quot;Families are served with notices to quit and I understand that the families leave the accommodation immediately and present to homeless services.&quot;</p>
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	The evidence shows that demand for accommodation in the private rental sector has been rising steadily in the city in recent years, which is driving average rent prices upwards.</p>
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	DEMAND</p>
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	Meanwhile, there isn&#39;t enough social housing available to meet the demand, pushing more people into the private rented sector.</p>
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	It is a problem that charities working at the coalface of the problem are familiar with.</p>
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	The homeless support service run by Threshold, the national housing charity, recorded its busiest ever year in 2013. Its Access Housing Unit in Dublin received 800 referrals, an increase of 77pc on the previous year.</p>
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	The unit provides support to people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and assists them in sourcing accommodation in the private rented sector.</p>
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	Fionnughla McLoughlin, assistant manager of the unit, said that there are many reasons why people find themselves homeless or facing the threat of homelessness. In about 50pc of cases last year, the landlord was selling the property, she said.</p>
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	She said repossessions of houses, or landlords having to sell properties due to owing the bank money, meaning the tenant has to move out, were all factors that can lead to people seeking its assistance.</p>
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	The changes in the bedsit regulations kicked in last February, resulting in a lot of landlords who didn&#39;t have the finance to do up the property to required standards, selling instead, she said.</p>
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	Others who have addiction issues, or had a relationship breakdown can also find themselves in need of help to find accommodation.</p>
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	http://www.herald.ie/news/20-families-amonth-made-homeless-29995778.html</p>
