Shelter wanted the executive to invest in 30,000 new homes

During a Holyrood debate on housing, they rejected an SNP amendment saying the executive had failed to address the housing crisis.

Shelter had called on ministers to build 30,000 new homes for rent.

The charity said more investment was needed if the executive was to meet its target to offer every homeless person in Scotland a flat to rent by 2012.

MSPs voted in favour of the executive motion by 65 votes to 39.

Shelter said a quarter of MSPs had signed a motion calling for investment.

The executive said it was already investing �1.2bn in 21,500 new homes.

A spokesman said it had also set up a shared equity scheme to help poor families buy their homes and it was trying to address some of the social problems that go with homelessness.

Politicians must realise that we cannot afford to brush housing need underneath the carpet Archie Stoddart Shelter Scotland

The executive is ahead of most other countries in Europe in promising that by 2012, every unintentionally homeless person will be offered a home.

Shelter Scotland director Archie Stoddart said: "We need all MSPs to put pressure on the Scottish Executive to ensure that 2007 is the year that we invest in Scotland's housing future. It's time to get a move in.

"Politicians must realise that we cannot afford to brush housing need underneath the carpet - not with thousands of people stuck on waiting lists or in temporary accommodation, and an internationally acclaimed homelessness target to give everyone the right to a home by 2012."

'No let up'

The executive spokesman said: "We have doubled investment in affordable housing since 2003.

"Our �1.2bn programme is providing 21,500 good quality affordable homes over three years.

"We are determined to maintain this progress and are working with local authorities, housing associations and others to free up more land and investment. There can be no let up."

The spokesman added that this year alone �487m was being spent, providing 7,100 homes.

He said rural communities were getting a record share of the funds, with almost 30% - about �139m - going to such areas.

Spending beyond 2008 will be decided by the next administration following May's elections.