Over the last two years, the increase in the numbers of cases in the region has been twice that of the national average, at 44% since 2010. This comes after seven years of consecutive falls.

In Cambridgeshire, cases rose 26% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year. The report also showed that rough sleeping has risen by 17% in the last year in the East of the country.

Claire Astbury, East of England Lead Manager at the National Housing Federation, said:

"Today's figures are shocking and indicate that many people in the East of England are truly being pushed to the brink.

"Our report shows that private renters - who make up 15% of East of England households today and an even greater proportion in the future – are increasingly at risk of losing the roof over their heads.

"Alongside the terrible rise in rough sleepers, many more children are now being pushed into temporary accommodation such as B&Bs. These are families who never dreamed they could end up on the streets. This is the new face of homelessness.

"We spend £1billion a year nationwide on trying to prevent homelessness, yet it keeps on rising. The only long-term solution is to build more affordable homes for sale and for rent. Only then will we truly be able to protect people from the traumatic experience of being made homeless."