Thousands of Norfolk people will be left struggling to afford a home by 2033 as the eastern region faces the biggest rise in households in England, a new report has warned.

Over the next 10 years, the number of homes needed in the county will increase by 28pc from 391,600 to 500,000 according to the National Housing Federation.

Breckland will be the district affected most with 31pc more homes needed by 2033.

But the organisation warns only half of the homes needed to house the 32,000 families forming in the eastern region each year are being built. That rise in demand means house prices in the East are set to rise by another 52pc over the next 10 years, and rents by 64pc.

Claire Astbury, East of England lead manager at the National Housing Federation, said: 'This is a problem that will not go away unless we take action.

'Our population is increasing, with people living longer and more single-person households, and this only increases the pressure on our struggling housing market.

'If the housing crisis doesn't affect you now, the chances are it will in the next few years – if not you, then your children, your parents or your friends. House prices and rents are already out of reach for many families, with thousands of working people having to rely on government support to pay their rent and waiting lists for social housing increasing.'

Last night, the federation called on the government and local politicians to work with the housing industry 'to tackle the crisis' and asked for public support for building the right homes in the right places.

It has launched a new campaign called Yes To Homes.