A charity for the homeless has warned that Scotland must build more houses as the number of families living in temporary accommodation continues to rise.

The Scottish Government has released figures that show 9,536 households were living in temporary accommodation in December 2008 compared to 8,633 households at the same time 2007, this is a rise of seven per cent.

Director of the charity Shelter Scotland Graeme Brown said the new figures also showed a rise in the number of people giving mortgage default, or rent arrears as the reason for applying as homeless.

Recent UK-wide figures from the Financial Services Authority show a 68% increase in the number of repossessions in 2008, compared to 2007.

Mr Brown said in a statement: "These figures are a stark wake-up call to crank up housing supply in Scotland.

"We already had a housing crisis in Scotland before the recession took hold - now we face the possibility of thousands more people in need of a roof over their heads because their house has been repossessed or they have been evicted for rent arrears."

He added: "We must build more homes - and swiftly. That's why Shelter has called on the UK Treasury to invest in housing through the forthcoming budget to help lift thousands out of temporary accommodation or off waiting lists.

"But we also need long term solutions too. Scotland needs 10,000 affordable rented homes a year to help meet Scotland's homelessness legislation."