Nicola says the homeless experience affected her children

The charity Shelter Cymru said the average cost of housing them rose this year from �1.5m to �4m.

Nicola, a single parent who spent three months homeless, described the experience as "very isolating and frightening".

"I felt alone and very insecure," said Nicola, from the Cynon Valley and now in private rented accommodation.

Shelter said it was particularly concerned that many children would spend Christmas without a permanent roof over their heads.

It's the guilt of not being able to help her, watching her drag the children around the streets Trish, friend of homelessness victim

Nicola, who lives with her 10-year old son and seven-year old daughter, said: "There was no advice.

"We were basically told: 'Report yourself homeless in this place in Pontypridd and there you are'.

"There was no cooking facilities there. We had nowhere to store proper food, there was nothing for my children to do. No room.

"We were basically put in with strangers with no support whatsoever."

Barnardo's, Shelter and NCH work together on homelessness

With no support from her family, Nicola turned to her friends. "Someone else told me about Shelter Cymru. I met a lady called Joanna Simpson who helped me out.

"If it wasn't for her I'd still be out on the streets. She is the lady that chased them around done all the phoning and writing and persuasion."

The experience has also had an impact on her children. "My son has been affected the most," she said. "I think his education has suffered.

"We had to leave for school at 5.40 in the morning. He lost his books. He kept dropping off in class and he was bullied.

"They weren't very supportive in the actual school until towards the end."

Nicola relied on friends like Trish for support

Trish, a friend of Nicola's for five years, said: "It's the guilt of not being able to help her, watching her drag the children around the streets, watching her struggle and watching the children struggle that was the hardest part.

"I didn't realise how much work Shelter Cymru do. I must say I am very impressed and if you are homeless for whatever reason go to Shelter Cymru for help and advice."

John Puzey, director of Shelter Cymru said: "Recorded homelessness is growing year on year and has now reached record proportions in Wales.

"The use of bed and breakfast accommodation rose by over 400% to almost 700 households over two years."

He said the increase was for a variety of reasons, including the right-to-buy scheme, which cut the number of council homes available.

Shelter Cymru wants an increased level of investment which would provide more social rented housing.

In the short term it is also calling for local authorities to develop alternatives to bed and breakfast accommodation as soon as possible.

In October the Welsh Assembly Government said there was a rise in homelessness across the UK, and it was reviewing its strategy to tackle the problem.

Assembly social justice minister Edwina Hart said at the time that funding for homelessness grants programme had been increased by 40%, and she was examining the need for extra investment in social housing.