MORE than 300 families and individuals in Monmouthshire will have been made homeless in the 12 months since last April, it is predicted.

Monmouthshire County Council says it expects 326 applications from people who have lost their homes with 202 of them being "unintentionally homeless" and therefore having a right to be rehoused.

In the previous year there were 207 applications and 120 were unintentional and in priority need.

The four main causes of people becoming homeless are private sector tenancies being ended, domestic abuse, being asked to leave by friends or families or being asked to leave by parents.

The general economic situation is not having a direct impact although it is not known if it if the increase in private lets being ended is due to landlords deciding to leave the market, a report to the council's adults select committee said.

The number of people being put into bed and breakfast accommodation is also expected to soar this year.

In 2010-11, 55 households were put up in bed and breakfast with an average stay of 21 days but that is expected to increase this year to 139 families and individuals with an average stay of 26 days.

The cost of bed and breakfast is expected to increase six-fold from £30,000 in 2010-11 to £171,000 in 2011-12.

The report also warns that more young people could be asked to leave home by their parents when proposed welfare reforms come in because of the effect on parents' housing allowance.

The council says it working to prevent homelessness and to increase the amount of accommodation available.

It is seeking to use more private landlords to help fulfill its duty to house those who are homeless as well as expanding a scheme where houses are leased from private landlords on the council's behalf by the Melin Homes housing association.

It is also looking at bringing more empty homes back into use and is working with the Charter Homes housing association to develop "rent-a-room" and flat-share schemes.