New research by the Conservative Party has revealed a sharp increase in the number of vulnerably housed women.
The figures show that there has been a 43 per cent increase in the number of women on council waiting lists in the past five years, from 80,000 in 2003 to 144,000 this year.
Data provided by 248 councils in response to freedom of information requests showed that the number of women in temporary accommodation was up by 44 per cent in this time, from 16,127 to 22,428.
Conservative housing spokesman Grant Shapps said: "It is quite clear that many women are becoming trapped in the vicious cycle of hidden homelessness.
"The lack of adequate hostel provision and the shocking increase in waiting lists for social housing reflects the failure of the state to understand this complex problem.
"Women are at far greater risk of having to compromise between their own safety and their need to find a place to sleep.
"It is alarming that, in the extreme, the most vulnerable women are faced with the unenviable choice of squatting, sleeping rough or relying on family or friends for accommodation.
"We will work with the many great organisations helping the homeless to try to find solutions. However, sadly a big part of this problem stems from Labour's failure to build enough housing in every category over the last decade."
But the government defended its record on increasing social housing. "Last year was the first time since 1983 that we built more social houses than were lost through right-to-buy," a spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said.
"But for a generation the supply of housing has not kept up with demand. That is exactly why we are investing £8bn to increase the number of affordable homes being built to 70,000 a year, including 45,000 social homes for rent - double the level in 2004 - with a goal of 50,000 a year in the next spending review.
"Our recent Housing Bill and the creation of the Homes and Communities Agency will help to deliver council homes more quickly and more efficiently and will make it easier for councils to build their own social housing to meet the needs of local families on waiting lists."
