Second home ownership is up 15% since last year, says the charity

The charity said homelessness was now growing at a faster rate in rural areas than in towns and cities.

The rise is partly due to people buying second homes in the country, it said.

Second homes in England currently qualify for a council tax discount of between 10% and 50%, depending on the discretion of the local council.

Many councils offer a discount, because people do not use their second home all the time and so do not take full advantage of local services.

Long-term solution

It's crucial that council tax is doubled on second homes - making them a far less desirable luxury Adam Sampson, Shelter

But Shelter said ownership of second homes had increased by 15% over the last year, helping to push up rural house prices faster than urban ones.

The charity said this was contributing to homelessness rising more quickly in the country than in towns and cities.

"There is something wrong when thousands of second homes sit empty in the countryside while levels of homelessness rise dramatically," said Adam Sampson, Director of Shelter.

"Building many more affordable homes is the only genuine long-term solution to this problem.

"It's also crucial that council tax is doubled on second homes - making them a far less desirable luxury."