Dublin Corporation is to provide new hostel accommodation for 30 homeless people by the end of the month. A shortage of places has left some people sleeping rough, even in cold weather.
Some city hostels have been using recreation rooms and other spaces to accommodate extra people during the cold weather.
People working in the hostels say they are under pressure for space throughout the year.
As a result, the number of people sleeping in shop doorways in Dublin city centre has increased noticeably.
Since last month, Dublin Corporation has been implementing a "cold weather strategy" in which hostels are asked to find extra beds on days when the temperature is forecast to fall to zero.
But with places already scarce, it frequently happens that the only option open to some homeless people is to go to the Eastern Health Board shelter at Grangegorman or to sleep rough.
Many choose the streets as they are nervous of Grangegorman and of some of the people there. They are also nervous of passing by three other hostels near Grangegorman and of people who hang around the streets or sleep rough along the road. "It can be a bit dangerous," a Dublin Corporation official said.
Ms Alice Leahy of Trust said that, apart from people directly affected by the shortage, there are about 12 people sleeping rough all the time. Some are unable to cope with the rules in hostels. Others cannot cope with crowded conditions.
There is general agreement among people in Dublin Corporation, the Eastern Health Board and the hostels that more space needs to be provided.
Dublin Corporation says it hopes the 30 new places at Marlborough Place will go a long way towards meeting the need.