A Commons committee has warned that Britain is facing a homelessness crisis.

In a report published on Thursday, the committee on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said that more than 100,000 households are homeless.

Committee chairman Andrew Bennett said it was "unacceptable" to have so many people without a home of their own.

The MPs said there should be "urgent" action to expand the supply of social housing.

Reviewing the situation two years after the passing of the Homelessness Act, the committee said that there had been progress in reducing the number of rough sleepers and families living in bed and breakfast accommodation.

But there was concern that the number of homeless households is now rising again.

Real effort

Bennett said that past experience "shows what can be done when real effort is put into solving problems".

"Nevertheless, we are deeply worried by the current situation, where over 100,000 households are homeless and people are stuck in temporary accommodation," he added.

"This should be the government's next priority. It is unacceptable to have so many people homeless in our society.

"New social housing is urgently needed and we call on the government to recognise this.

"We think that it should re-examine its priorities when building new housing to make sure that people have roofs over their heads.

"We are completely opposed to any extension of the right-to-buy scheme, we cannot afford to lose any more social housing."

New target

The ODPM welcomed the report, and accepted that "reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation must be a top priority".

"That is why we announced a new target to halve the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation by 2010 as part of our five year plan," said a spokesman.

"We are also increasing investment in homelessness prevention from £60 million in 2005/06 to £74 million in 2007/08 and will increase the supply of social rented housing by 50 per cent by 2008, providing 75,000 new homes over the next three years."

He added that the government had "a comprehensive strategy to further reduce homelessness in England".

Right-to-buy

But the Conservatives said the report showed that Labour was opposed to Tory plans to expand the right-to-buy scheme.

Local government spokesman Caroline Spelman said: "Tony Blair has made a series of cuts to the right to buy.

"A clear choice now exists - Labour's plans, which would prevent people from selling their home to whom they want to and for the price they want to, and the Conservatives who will give people a real choice.

"Labour's plans will mean part-owners would have to obtain permission to fit a new door or fit a new kitchen.

"Conservatives have already outlined a clear set of proposals which will allow housing association tenants to own their own home outright as well as make it easier for everybody to get on the first rung of the property ladder."