The number of people on housing waiting lists has grown by 2,000 since the summer, according to research by Focus Ireland. Figures supplied to the organisation by local authorities suggest that 45,800 people are now on their waiting lists.
In July, a similar set of figures supplied by local authorities to the Fine Gael TD, Mr Brian Hayes, suggested that 43,770 people had applied for housing.
In the public spending Estimates published earlier this month provision was made for 4,500 local authority housing starts next year.
In his ardfheis speech at the weekend, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, described the area of housing as "worrying".
Focus Ireland conducted its research for its current Focus on Home week.
The organisation has been warning of an escalating housing crisis for some years. Since 1996, the number of people on housing waiting lists has risen by two-thirds.
Reasons advanced by local authorities for the increases include the high cost of housing on the market, which puts it out of the reach of a growing number of people, and eviction of tenants who cannot pay increased rents sought by private landlords.
In the Dublin local authority areas, where 11,242 people are on its waiting lists, Dublin Corporation in particular is hampered by a lack of land. It also says it cannot afford to buy private houses because of the high prices houses are fetching.
After Dublin, the highest numbers of people on the waiting lists are in Cork (5,189), Kildare (2,401), Donegal (2,274), Wexford (2,266) and Wicklow (2,260). Laois has the smallest waiting list (350), followed by Leitrim (397).