47per cent rent rises are predicted by 2020

The National Housing Federation said monthly payments were expected to soar by almost half in each region in the next eight years.

Bosses at the federation, which oversees 1,200 housing associations across the country, are warning that families will be forced to rely on benefits to meet bills. Figures released today project an increase of £263-a-month for private lettings in Lichfield, up from £558, while South Staffordshire bills will rise by £257 to £804.

In Cannock Chase and Stafford, rises of £221 and £231 are expected, taking monthly rates to £690 and £721 respectively by 2020.

In the West Midlands, rents will go up an average £234 from £498 to £732 a month. Bills will go up by £211 in Wolverhampton and £235 in Birmingham, the Home Truths study released today claims.

Gemma Duggan, West Midlands lead manager for the National Housing Federation, said: "We have reached the point of no return for the housing market.

"Many families across Staffordshire are already really struggling to afford their home and with huge rises in house prices and rents ahead, things look set to get even worse.

"Successive governments have failed to tackle the under-supply of housing and time is now running out, with an entire generation at risk of being priced out of renting a home, let alone buying one. Even working families are increasingly reliant on housing benefit to help pay their private rent.

"We urgently need to tackle the chronic undersupply of new homes across England and the West Midlands."

The report states there has been an 86 per cent rise in the number of working people receiving housing benefit since 2009.

The federation is calling on the Government to release land for housing associations to build on.