Homeless children could be at risk of long-term damage to their physical and mental health.
A Focus Ireland report shows they face a number of challenges including a lack of certainty and overcrowding in homeless accommodation.
They were based on in-depth interviews with 25 families who had exited homelessness between 2014 and 2016.
Mike Allen from Focus Ireland says homeless children are often exposed to drinking and drug use.
"We as parents always protect our young children from experiences like that. We know that they exist in the world, but we protect our children from them."
"The parents in emergency accommodation often are in the situation where they have no control over the types of things that their very young children are going to see."
Mr. Allen, who is the Director of Advocacy at Focus Ireland adds that "many of the parents were traumatised" at what their children are subjected to on a daily basis.
