A “massive housing crisis” that is forcing so many to live in “unsuitable temporary accommodation” is contributing to family breakdown, the Archbishop of Dublin has warned.

Archbishop Dermot Farrell challenged the State to do more to provide affordable homes and said rules brought in following the banking crisis had backfired in terms of providing affordable homes.

“People are living in hubs waiting for homes. Some of the temporary accommodation is completely unsuitable for families. It is very difficult to sustain family life in those sorts of settings. It can contribute to family breakdown,” he said.

Dr Farrell said the State had an obligation to “provide homes for people that are affordable”.

“Family life is stressful at the best of times, but if everybody is confined to one room, where you live, sleep and cook, that creates a lot of extra stresses and strains,” he said.

“These are things that impact on family life and lead to family breakdown. It is a major crisis in this country which has to be addressed.”