The Government and local authorities need to build more social housing, to try and tackle the country's homeless problem.

That's according to the CEO of Galway Simon, who was responding to a survey released this week which showed there were no properties in Galway City available for people on the Rent Supplement or Housing Assistance Payment earlier this year.

The snapshot survey for the Simon Communities of Ireland was taken over three days during the month of May, and revealed that across the country, only 8% of properties were available to rent with no income limits.

No properties were available on those dates in Galway City, Limerick or Portlaoise, while just one property was available in Sligo and Athlone within the rent supplement / HAP limits.

The Simon Communities of Ireland say this is one of the main reasons that people are becoming homeless.

Karen Golden is CEO of Galway Simon- and told Midwest News there is a decreasing supply of rental accomodation in Galway city