23,000 had slept rough or in a hostel

A total of 23,000 young people have slept rough or in homeless hostels at some point in their lives, according to a poll commissioned by the housing charity Shelter.

But many others end up in poor accommodation, the charity found.

More than a million young people questioned said they were prepared to put up with poor living conditions or bad landlords in exchange for cheap accommodation.

Family breakdown

Shelter spokesman Ben Jackson said young people were worried about family arguments or money problems forcing them to leave their homes.

"It is also compounded by the fact that many don't know where to turn or what their rights are," he said.

He continued: "It is a much wider problem than just people living rough on the streets.

For many of these young people buying a house was not an option and would think themselves lucky to have basic rented accommodation, he said.

"We want more young people to know there are services available where they can turn to get help about what their options and rights are - preferably before they get into the situation where they are losing their home," he said.

The poll is the latest phase of a campaign by the charity with Nescaf� to raise awareness of housing and homelessness issues.