Kevin Williams, national secretary of YMCA England, said: "Ofsted has reported that each year 10,000 pupils go missing from the schools system. Many will later form part of the 11,000 homeless young people."
He also expressed concern that the true figures for homeless young people could be much higher, as they are hidden among other needs and do not include young people living in hostels or young runaways.
But Theresa MacDermott, manager of the young person's team at Shelter, said: "The Homelessness Act 2002 extended the definition of people in priority need. Before this under-18s were not seen as a priority group. They are now being recognised and helped."
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