As the prime minister prepares to meet with state and territory leaders on addressing Australia's housing affordability crisis, welfare advocacy bodies are calling for immediate action to limit rent increases.
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Housing will be at the top of the agenda when national cabinet meets on Wednesday with leaders under pressure to address a growing rental crisis.
The Councils of Social Service network, which represents thousands of social services, has written a letter to national cabinet leaders to warn it is seeing "distressing levels of housing need".
"There are over 640,000 low-income Australian households with an unmet housing need, people who are homeless, living in overcrowded housing, or spending more than 30 per cent of income on rent," the letter said.
"The rental crisis requires immediate attention.
"Without government intervention, housing will continue to be unaffordable and insecure for many Australians."
The network called for law reform to limit rental increases, prevent no-grounds evictions and ensure homes are energy efficient.
The Australian Greens want national cabinet to provide solutions for renters in crisis in exchange for their support of the Albanese government's proposed $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.
The fund is expected to deliver 30,000 social and affordable homes in its first five years, with 4000 for women and children at risk of domestic violence.
The plan was blocked by the coalition and Greens in June, as the minor party demanded a nationally agreed rent freeze, more rights for tenants, and increased funding for public housing in exchange for their support.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he'd already had constructive talks with state and territory leaders but would not pre-empt the national cabinet discussion.
But he said all leaders were on the same page about addressing Australia's housing challenge.
"We all know housing supply is key, we all know renters need more rights, but it can't be done in a way that actually dampens housing supply," he told reporters in Melbourne.
"The Greens can't say they want more social housing and then vote against it."
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the Commonwealth wanted to work with the states and territories to address the housing challenge.
"We are always prepared to sit down with the states and territories and also the local governments to work out if there are ways that we can do more to build more homes in this country," he told ABC Radio.
"We recognise that a shortage of housing is pushing up rents, it's making it harder for people to make ends meet (and) that's what drives so much of what we're doing in this space."
Dr Chalmers said there were other ways for governments to make a difference rather than a limit on rent increases.
"We're in the cart for anything which makes sense, which is affordable and methodical and considered," he said.
"We've shown a willingness already, with the billions of dollars that we're investing, that we're prepared to play our part."
Australian Associated Press
