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Housing charity Shelter\\u2019s latest figures show that homelessness has risen rapidly in the last year. In England, 279,400 people are living in temporary accommodation - an increase of 14% - most of whom are families. \\nAnd the government\\u2019s own figures reveal that almost half (47%) of families who are homeless in temporary accommodation have been there for more than two years. \\nCouncils have a legal duty to house families and people who are vulnerable if they lose their homes, but the acute shortage of affordable homes means they are having to rely on temporary accommodation for long periods.\\nSo what can be done to fix the growing numbers who find themselves homeless?

David Aaronovitch is joined by the following expert guests:\\nChristine Whitehead, Housing Economist, London School of Economics\\nRachelle Earwaker, Senior Economist, Joseph Rowntree Foundation\\nMatthew Wilkins, Head of Value for Money, Centre for Homelessness Impact

Production team: Kirsteen Knight, Alex Lewis and Sophie Eastaugh\\nProduction Co-ordinators: Jacqui Johnson and Sophie Hill\\nSound: Rod Farquhar\\nEditor: Richard Vadon