Drug use, stealing and fights are the main three reasons why some homeless people don't take a bed in an emergency hostel.
That's according to the Peter McVerry Trust, which has described comments by the Dublin City Council CEO about tents 'simplistic.'
Owen Keegan said the tents should be banned from city streets because there are beds available, and he believes they can create an unsafe image about Dublin.
However Fr Peter McVerry says homeless people often don't feel secure.
"The basic reason is that they feel safer sleeping on the street or sleeping in tents.
"Some of the emergency accommodation is of excellent quality, single rooms are shared - most people are two to a room.
"Much of it is unfit for purpose. Much of it is shared accommodation, where you have 4,5 or 6 sharing a room."
