A new study by the Simon Communities in Ireland shows that 30% of women who are homeless first experienced homelessness as children.

The study also found that 92% of women who are homeless have experienced high levels of violence and abuse.

The group is calling for homelessness services to be adapted and improved to better meet the needs of women.

They warn that a particular group of at-risk women are remaining trapped in homelessness moving between homeless services, prison, drug and alcohol services.

Spokesperson Niamh Randall says the study shows that the effects of a difficult childhood can last well into adult life:

Some of the women in this study link the experience of being in State care as a child to a lack of readiness for living independently and social isolation. 

There are currently 5,000 men, women and children in emergency homeless accommodation. 

According to the group, 1,572 children are currently staying in emergency accommodation nationwide. They say mothers are really worried about the long term effect of living in emergency accommodation on children.

The Simon Communities warns that women often only present to services when they reach a crisis point, and as a last resort.

Simon has launched a resource guide to create greater awareness of the issues surrounding women and homelessness.

They are appealing for the development of targeted services for women who are homeless, including mother and child units, services for younger women and women-only services.