Homelessness is on the rise across Wales

The valleys county of Torfaen has seen homeless levels rise from 779 people to 1,099 in just two years, giving it the highest homelessness figures per head in Wales.

Welsh Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart is due to launch the five-year action plan in Pontypool on Wednesday.

Rising house prices and fewer available council houses have been blames for the increase in homelessness across Wales.

You are not able to do lots of things that you would be able to do if you had a normal home address Caroline Tracey

People who have been made homeless, say they were caught up in a vicious circle of debt.

Caroline Tracey, who found herself homeless in the Torfaen area with three children to look after for three months last year, told BBC Wales: I found myself in the position where I couldn't live in the marital home and I had to find somewhere else for me and my children.

"I found accommodation in a refuge and was there until I was housed in the Torfaen area.

'Humbling experience'

"The stigma attached to being in a refuge is terrible.

"It was a very humbling experience."

Ms Tracey added that here status as being homeless made day-to-day life difficult.

"Because I didn't have a home address, I was not able to get credit," she said.

"You are not able to do lots of things that you would be able to do if you had a normal home address.

"Even renting a video was extremely difficult."

According to homeless charity Shelter Cymru, more than 2,000 Households were accepted as homeless by councils in Wales between April and June 2003 compared to 1,500 during the same period in 2002.

John Puzey, Director of Shelter Cymru, said: "We have found there has been an increase in homelessness in Wales and in valleys communities we have seen a big increase.

"We estimate that 40,000 people (in Wales) in the last recorded year went to councils because they were facing homelessness.

"Pockets of homelessness in places like Torfaen is a worrying development."