Close to 5,400 children, including more than 500 under the age of 12 months, were living in temporary accommodation last month.
The figures is more than double the number five years ago, newly released figures reveal.
Over the six months to the end of September more than 1,800 families were placed in temporary accommodation after being officially classified as homeless, close to three times the number over the same period in 2019, according to the latest homelessness bulletin.
While the number of households presenting as homeless has remained steady over the years, there has been a huge spike in individuals and families needing to be accommodated in temporary accommodation, including hotels, hostels and some private lets.
More than 360 households have been living in temporary accommodation for over five years, up from around 60 in 2019, the Department for Communities bulletin reveals.
Of the 5,378 children classified as homeless last month, just over 500 were less than one-year-old. The total number in 2019 was 2,433.
Over the six months to the end of September, 260 households that included a pensioner were placed in temporary accommodation up from 74 over the same period five years ago.
In total in November, 4908 households were living in temporary accommodation, compared with 2065 in 2019, an increase of 138% over the five years.
Over the six months to September, a total of 6,105 households, including individuals, couples or families, were placed in temporary accommodation,.
Belfast recorded the highest rate of presentations, followed by Derry City and Strabane and then Mid and East Antrim.
Nicola McCrudden, chief executive of Homeless Connect, an umbrella organisation said that “in the run-up to the festive season, it should shock us all that more than 5,300 children are spending Christmas in temporary accommodation.
“Sadly, for many experiencing homelessness, having a place of their own is becoming an aspiration,” Ms McCrudden said.
“The rising numbers of people needing temporary accommodation, because they have no other option, can be directly linked to the severe shortage of housing generally and social housing more specifically.”
Homeless Connect said the main reason for presenting as homeless to the Housing Executive is that their current accommodation is not suitable for a variety of reasons, including disability, financial difficulty, violence and overcrowding.
“Other significant factors include breakdowns in sharing arrangements and loss of rented accommodation – which is becoming more frequent as many tenants struggle to meet rising rental costs,” Ms McCrudden added.
The organisation has described as positive the announcement by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of a range of measures, including the publication of a housing supply strategy and allocating funds specifically to prevent homelessness.
Ms McCrudden said: “Homelessness is solvable. If we are to turn the curve on homelessness, we need to increase housing supply and affordability, including tackling issues of poverty.
“We need long-term, committed investment in housing provision, in homelessness prevention and funding for key interventions to support people at the right time and in the right place.”
Children’s Commissioner Chris Quinn noted the report also highlights the “alarming age distribution among homeless children, with the largest proportion, 21.9%, under the age of two.
Mr Quinn said: “This is a crisis that demands immediate attention and action from our political leaders.
“I can not stress the importance of the need for Homelessness Prevention Legislation which would ensure early intervention and support vulnerable people.”
He added: “We cannot continue to ignore the suffering of families and children who are forced to live in temporary accommodation, which has profound impacts on mental health and wellbeing, and access to basic necessities like stable housing, education, and healthcare.
“This staggering 121% increase in children who have been made homeless over the last five years is a stark reminder to our political leaders to take immediate and decisive action to address this crisis.”