Homelessness, numbers in Wales are set to rise by a third in the next five years unless the Welsh and UK Governments take long-term action to tackle it.

The new analysis conducted for Crisis by Heriot-Watt University states there are growing numbers of homeless rough-sleeping and sofa surfing.

The report estimates that at any one time in 2016 across Wales 300 people slept rough, 3,100 households were sofa surfing, 200 households were living in unsuitable temporary accommodation, 900 households were living in hostels, 600 households were living in other circumstances, including squats, women’s refuges, winter night shelters, sleeping in tents, cars or public transport.

The report warns that if current policies continue unchanged, the most acute forms of homelessness are likely to keep rising with households in unsuitable temporary accommodation set to double.

The Welsh Government has pledged a number of initiatives to tackle the issue, including to build 20,000 new affordable homes by 2021, and to do more to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.

The charity is asking the Welsh public to be part of this plan by joining its ‘Everybody In’ campaign. Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said, ‘Regardless of what happens in people’s lives, whatever difficulties they face or choices they make, no one should have to face homelessness. There are solutions, and we’re determined to find them and make them a reality.’