Only the most desperate homeless people in England can get government support, according to a report which calls for a change in the law.
Councils only have to rehouse those who are judged to be "priority" cases. The majority are offered nothing more than advice, says the report by a coalition of charities and lawyers.
The group want the law to be changed so councils are forced to intervene earlier to stem the rising tide of homelessness.
Under the current law single adults without children who are not pregnant or vulnerable are not usually considered in the "priority" category. This is in contrast to Welsh legislation where local authorities have a statutory duty to prevent homelessness, regardless of priority.
The review is written by figures from the charities Crisis and Shelter as well as the Chartered Institute of Housing, the National Housing Federation and local councils. It calls for the English legal system to adopt aspects of the Welsh one in regards to homelessness prevention duties.
Ministers have said they were "very interested" in changing the law to place a stronger duty of prevention on councils.
A spokesman for the department for communities and local government told the BBC: "This report makes interesting reading and we will continue work with homelessness organisations and across government to explore options, including legislation, to prevent more people from facing a homelessness crisis in the first place."
He added the government has committed £139 million to homelessness programmes and an additional £100 million for accommodation.
However the Labour Mayor of Newham said the plan would require more money and housing. He told BBC Radio 4'sToday programme: "If you say somebody's homeless and I have to house them, I have to have a place to house them. I can't magic things up."
