“Urgent action” is needed to prevent the homeless crisis returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Simon Communities.

The number of people accessing emergency accommodation increased by 269 in November, according to the latest figures.

The Department of Housing homeless report shows 9,099 people were accessing emergency accommodation – up from 8,830 in October.

The Simon Communities said the number of people in emergency accommodation has increased by nearly 14% in the six months recorded since the COVID moratorium on evictions was lifted last May.

Simon Communities spokesman Wayne Stanley said the progress made during the pandemic is rapidly being lost.

“The 14% rise in official homeless figures again highlights the need to address the structural problems in our housing system,” he said.

“The November figures show us that the value of the positive interventions brought in as a response to the pandemic is rapidly being lost.

“Homelessness was reduced by 19.3% month on month between March 2020 and May 2021, when the moratorium on evictions was lifted.

“Today’s statistics show that we are rapidly returning to pre-pandemic levels of homelessness.”

Some 2,548 children were homeless in November, up 35 on the month before.

Meanwhile, the number of single adults accessing homeless services increased by 198 to 4,763 and the number of homeless families increased by 26 to 1082.

Mr Stanley said “urgent action” is needed in response to challenges including the mica crisis, the shortage of housing supply and absence of affordability in the private rental sector.

“That means a sharp focus on prevention while work continues to address the supply of affordable housing,” he said.

“One immediate prevention action that can be taken is the implementation of the Simon Homeless Prevention Bill.

“Government has accepted the principles of the Bill, which provides up to 12 weeks emergency extension of protection in their current accommodation to those deemed at risk of homelessness and is supported by a broad opposition coalition.

“Now we must see these principles put to action and the substance of the Simon Bill passed into legislation in the first quarter of 2022.”

He said other measures that are urgently needed include an increase to HAP rates, more regulation of the private rental market and a broader range of support services for those at risk of homelessness.