More than 100 people between the ages of 16 and 25 are homeless in Cork city, the Cork Simon Community annual meeting heard yesterday.
The figures were released at the launching of a €21 million four-year action plan by the charity.
Cork Simon yesterday appealed to the Government to meet 75 per cent of the cost of implementing its plan.
Cork city, the meeting heard, has over 500 people homeless.
Many are living in substandard temporary accommodation, the charity's night shelter and/or sleeping rough.
The charity pledged to raise over €7 million from its own fundraising activities to go towards the cost of its plan. The plan places particular emphasis on tackling youth homelessness.
Speaking at the agm, Simon Community director Ms Colette Kelleher said the charity's vision of a city without homelessness was not an impossible goal.
But the campaign was at a pivotal moment, she added.
"Our ambition is to eliminate homelessness in Cork once and for all. We believe it's possible to achieve this and to make our city unique in Ireland." she said.
"Our staff and volunteers have a tremendous amount of know-how in supporting homeless people, and we know what needs to be done to end homelessness in the city.
"But we are at a turning point. In order to finish the job we have started we will need help - from local and national government, as well as from the people and businesses of Cork."
The plan proposes building a new residential house in Blackrock, due to open at the end of the year.
An 'Open House' for street drinkers and other marginalised people is also one of the planned projects.
Cork Simon's scheme would also allow for increased accommodation for homeless people ready to live independently.
It proposes further development of health and mental health support at existing Cork Simon projects.
Greater access to counselling and medical services is also essential to the success of the strategy, as is increased campaigning and research to raise awareness and influence public policy, the agm heard.