Brian Douglas, of the charity Shelter, say the record figures are a "damning indictment" on the fourth richest country in the world. Temporary housing can harm children's health, education and future, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said tenants right to buy their council houses and the lack of affordable housing were behind the rise in the number of homeless families.

Why do you think the number of homeless families has risen? What should be done to help them? Should the government provide more affordable housing?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of comments received so far.

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Joe from Derby, UK: What can be done to reduce the record number of homeless people? And by Mark Brierley, Austria: What are the underlying causes of homelessness in Britain and what can be done to reduce the problem? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

Presumably social services and other government departments are aware of the causes of homelessness, and it's the root causes that need to be addressed. If we don't we will still be fire fighting this problem 20 years from now, treating the symptoms rather than the cause, as we have done for the past 20 years.
David Nash, Birmingham

The state should stop trying to provide anything other than emergency housing. The experiment with "council housing" has been an abject failure which has trapped millions in unsuitable homes and left hundreds of thousands of others expecting to be given a home, in vain. The state should support people adequately, and then let the market provide. In every area of life where this happens unfettered by state interference, goods get cheaper and quality improves. That could happen in housing if the Government got out of the way.
John Moss, Hackney, London

It is disgusting that one of the richest countries in the world does so little to help those most in need. Before we set off putting the world to rights we should take a look in our own back yard and then decide where to spend taxpayers' money. Some people will never be able to buy their own home but surely the government has a duty to ensure that everyone at least has a home. House prices have spiralled and the Government has done nothing to stop it. Why? Think how much revenue in Stamp Duty they've made in the last five years.
David Williams, Southampton, Hampshire

The homelessness plight typically centres around the country's largest cities, and most homeless people wouldn't want to move away from that environment. The most practical solution would be to generate non profit making hostels, which could be subsidies for the most needy. There are constantly hundreds of disused buildings in London, Manchester etc that could be used for this purpose. The Government is accountable if little is done to help.
Rob, Witham Essex

Having lived abroad in eastern Europe and seen the problems faced with people in societies where people like nurses were living on �80 per month - never mind people on their rudimentary benefit systems, I somewhat lost sympathy with people who can't even play England's generous system. People may find themselves homeless through losing jobs, depression, mental illness and plain bad luck. In these cases there has to be a safety net of hostels and benefits, including temporary refuge in B&Bs etc. For the rest, addicts, the lazy, etc - no sympathy whatsoever.
Pete, Cambridge, England

At the core of all homelessness is total despair Rich, UK

I don't think there is a 'one size fits all' solution to the problem of homelessness because there are so many different causes for it. In one instance somebody may be homeless because they are a hopelessly addicted drug addict, unable and unwilling to hold down any job whatsoever. In another instance somebody may have lost their home through repossession and be so terribly in debt they cannot see a way out, although they may truly desire to work. I think at the core of all homelessness is total despair and a complete lack of self confidence.
Rich, UK

It seems quite ironic to me but one of the ways to help combat homelessness is to put a stop to people owning more than one home. It's pure greed by the overpaid. There could also be a stop put to the demolition of derelict properties. With a bit of encouragement and government funding I'm sure there'd be enough takers within the homeless "community" who'd be willing to help restore derelict properties so they could move into them when completed.
Nick, St. Ives

The 4th richest nation in the world has 100,000 rough sleepers. Isn't that pathetic? Perhaps it's time for Tony Blair to stop his world policing and start dealing with domestic issues. If the costs of the Iraq war were diverted toward domestic issues, a 100,000 people at home would have a house, and a 100,000 Iraqis would still be alive. The mistake is Blair's.
Kaps, London, UK (Originally from India)

My Mother was made homeless when the B&B that she was living in changed ownership. As she was not capable of helping herself she slept rough for some weeks. friends and family rallied to help when re found out, but it still took more weeks to find suitable accommodation while local councils simply said they didn't have resources to assist - to phone the homeless helpline and listen to an answer phone telling you to call back during office hours is soul destroying.
Nick, UK

The numbers have risen and will continue to rise because there has been lack of investment in affordable housing and a lack of government response to changes in the market and in society. There should be a massive instant investment in new social housing and there should be more emphasis on tackling the lack of restriction on private landlords.
Ian, Poole, UK

What is wrong with today's society? Do people actually think that people actually actively choose or deserve to be homeless? The homeless live in a world of fear, hunger and isolation. They watch people stagger past them in towns after spending �50 on a night out and they are the scorned ones!
Anon, Liverpool

We could consider shared accommodation. I must admit if I found myself homeless I'd take a room in a hall-of-residence style block in preference to living on the street. It might not be ideal but it's better than nothing. Unfortunately for as long as an insistence exists that people must have their own bathroom, their own living room etc, there simply isn't enough property to go round. Better to provide a secure roof (and a fixed address, to aid employment) to many rather than relative luxury to a few.
John B, UK

All homes empty for more than four weeks a year should be claimed as council property. Anyone owning more than one home should pay capital gains tax on a yearly basis. The Royals should perhaps lead the way here.
Colin Harrison, England

Thousands of properties are lying empty Ben, Exeter

Greed is a big part of the problem. Thousands of properties are lying empty, only used occasionally as holiday or second homes. I heard a statistic recently that said there were 15,000 homeless families in Cornwall, and 15,000 second homes in the county. The solution seems quite obvious to me. Of course, many of the people that have the power to make these decisions are the owners of such properties.
Ben, Exeter

Anybody have a figure for the current number of unoccupied and under occupied council properties? I suspect that proper management of the national public housing stock could quickly resolve this scandal.
Paul, UK

Capitalism always CAUSES homelessness. Only socialism would prevent it. Of course, as homeless people can't vote, socialism will never take over.
Nathan Hobbs, Luton, UK

For the physically able, I suggest conscription into the armed forces. Good meals, housing, schooling and they will be a valued resource to the nation.
Simon, Darwen, Lancs

I'm working in a job that supports young people, many of whom are homeless and I can't afford a house. Anyway I'm off to France next year to live permanently, as houses there start from as little as �80,000. The problem is the worthless, greedy people who have three or four houses.
Jonathan Kingsbury, Salisbury, UK

You can't get a home if you don't have a job, you can't have a job if you don't have an address. It's a vicious circle.
Gavin, Cardiff, Wales

As usual the Government is being economical with the truth Trish Wilson, London, UK

As usual the Government is being economical with the truth. I see no mention of those who become homeless through repossession, particularly the 45+ group who have a less than 50% chance of finding a new job because of the Government's failure to tackle ageism in the workplace.
Trish Wilson, London, UK

Stop "Right to Buy", means test council house tenancy, introduce a tough, active, fair rent office to regulate the rental market.
John Holmes, East London

Affordable housing is a myth. Just a get rich quick scheme for public sector workers at the expense of private sector taxpayers. You cannot change markets to be public spirited - just ask previous governments.
Adrian, UK

As a temporary measure - close down and refurbish subways so that those who sleep on the streets at least have somewhere warmer and less exposed to the elements to sleep. It may not be ideal, but Government and Local Authorities could do it affordably, and homeless people would find a safer, warmer sanctuary where charities could start to help them properly.
Roger Storer, London, UK

Perhaps the problem is caused by empty second homes? Patrick, Fleet, Hants

How does selling a council house to existing tenants create homelessness? Surely the council gains money it could use to build or renovate a house for those on the waiting list. How does buy-to-rent create homelessness? The owner does everything possible to ensure the property is occupied all of the time. Perhaps the problem is caused by empty second homes? As MPs must top the list of occupations with multiple property ownership, I wouldn't expect any action being taken to reduce this.
Patrick, Fleet, Hants

Short Term Aid doesn't seem to have effect on the homeless and promotes laziness, the more they get "spoon-fed" with benefits the less likely they are to become self dependent. Rather than providing benefits I believe more should be spent on Long Term Aid such as; shelters and schooling so the homeless can earn their own income.
Robbie Silva, London, UK

While young single mothers, and recent visitors are given accommodation, there will always be a shortage of homes.
Steve, Wimborne, Dorset, UK

I am sorry if this is not politically correct but in my eyes most homeless people have no-one to blame but themselves. They are entitled to housing benefits, income benefits and healthcare. There are several charities they can go to. I could find a job tomorrow stacking shelves if I wanted to, why didn't they before ending up this way? I am sick and tired of always having to cough up for these people.
Matt, Plymouth

To Matt, Plymouth (and others like him). I recently met a homeless man. Ex-military and then a successful businessman, his business failed, his marriage fell apart and his health went to pieces. Attempts to get benefit met with incompetence and failure. Charities can only help so much and nowhere near enough. Such catastrophic events led him to the streets and he told me that most on the streets have similar stories and MANY are ex-forces (were you in the forces Matt?). He used to have the same feelings about the homeless as you, now he knows better.
KJ, Scotland

Doubling council tax on second homes would help, as would stopping the tax loophole that allows landlords to claim tax relief on buy-to-let mortgages. Bring back the notion of fair rent rather than the present profiteering by the rich at the expense of the poor. Some people just have no shame. It's crazy but government effectively pays housing benefit to rich people to expand their empires whilst in the long term those in need are made poorer by the benefits scheme as ownership slips further and further away from their reach.
John, Poole

The only way we can solve the problem long term is by ensuring there is adequate supply of affordable housing Matt, London, UK

There are different types of homelessness, and people should not mistake rough sleeping for homelessness, which has a much broader definition. The long term causes of homelessness are varied and complex, stemming from personal and family circumstances to educational achievement and lack of opportunities. The only way we can solve the problem long term is by ensuring there is adequate supply of affordable housing, and through addressing the factors that cause homelessness, starting at an early age. The same factors that cause homelessness also cause other forms of social exclusion, so in addressing one problem, we can solve many.
Matt, London, UK

There are many properties that lay derelict around our inner cities that have become no go areas. Why don't we target these? Those seeking work or shelter can offer their services, and in doing so obtain training, employment and a place of residence all in one. (Or is that too radical?)
Paul H, Essex

Trying to call people in perfectly reasonable temporary housing "homeless" is overstating their case Steve, London, UK

This was all a headline grabber by Shelter, a special interest group whose purpose is to talk up homelessness so that they get more donations. According to them, the homeless now include people in temporary accommodation, so does that mean all those who rent are now classified as homeless too? More should be done to help those who cannot house themselves such as the mentally ill or children on the streets, but trying to call people in perfectly reasonable temporary housing "homeless" is overstating their case.
Steve, London, UK

In a capitalist society, in order to have a place to call 'home' you must be able to hold down a job in order to pay for it. If you have a mental illness, are a child, an intravenous drug user or are just plain lazy, you will not be able to do this. The alternatives are refuges or the street. All the government is obliged to do is help the helpless (children and the sick) and provide temporary refuge for the rest. Apart from this its a matter of personal choice to be on the streets.
Matt, Sheffield

Being homeless is rarely a choice Adam, Cardiff, Wales

To Matt, Sheffield: So you would say that people that have been forced to leave home due to abusive fathers, spouses, etc (and believe me, this happens a lot) do not deserve to be helped? Or that those who have been on the streets since childhood but have now passed into adulthood should also not be helped (even though it is nigh on impossible to get a job without an address?). Being homeless is rarely a "choice". Some people's inability to empathise is beyond me.
Adam, Cardiff, Wales

Provide work, good housing, restore their pride...
Kee, USA

On the one hand there are 500,000 homeless in the UK - yet on the other there are thousands of empty properties in the north of the country. Why not invest money in these properties to ensure they are habitable and give these people somewhere to live?
Gareth, London, UK

I had no idea so many people were homeless in the UK - I set up a direct debit to a homeless charity this morning.
Anon, UK

The Blairs have a house they aren't using...
Gerry, UK

There is a clear and widening gap between the rich and the poor Leon, Sussex, UK

It's sickening that anyone in this country should be homeless. There is a clear and widening gap between the rich and the poor. And it's getting wider. The cost of living, especially property prices, is so high now that most low income earners cannot afford a home, and renting is very expensive as well. It's no surprise more and more people are "out on the streets". The government should be doing more to reduce living costs, instead of ever increasing taxes, and spending billions on crusades in the Middle East!
Leon, Sussex, UK

I cannot believe that there is any homelessness in one of the eight richest nations on earth. While some people choose to opt out of society, those that don't opt out must be given reasonable help to get themselves back on track. One way is to get the habitually lazy - long term unemployed - to get to work and contributing to those that actually deserve and really do need taxpayers help.
Peter, Manchester, England.

How about asking second homeowners to show some compassion and help those this Christmas whose plight they may have caused in the first place by pushing up property prices out of reach of ordinary families?
Paula, London

It's simple economics. The average house price is �180,000, the average salary is �22,000. Sadly, it is not bound to adjust, as the third world discovered long ago.
Graham, Milton Keynes, UK

Stop selling council houses and build more Pauline Fothergill, Halifax

Simple solution - stop selling council houses and build more, ensuring rents are affordable and assistance given to poorer tenants
Pauline Fothergill, Halifax, West Yorkshire

As a recent graduate on a moderate salary I can afford to rent, but not buy. As a result I'm not entitled to "affordable housing" but am expected (through taxes) to pay for other people's subsided homes. When they later sell them at full market price & move further up the property ladder It a real slap in the face. Its no wonder so many graduate leave this country & move somewhere fairer.
Peter, Nottingham