Labor opposition member Lisa Chesters says community members were already raising their concerns about housing ahead of an election that could be as little as three months away.

"Housing affordability will, I think, become a central election issue for the first time in a long time, the Bendigo MP said.

"It will be about all aspects of the issue. Whether you are trying to rent, whether you are trying to build or whether you are trying to supplement your retirement income because you have a property."

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There are already people in Bendigo on rental waiting lists 100 people long, Ms Chesters said.

"We already have a lack of available land for people to build on, housing prices are going through the roof and cutting people out of the market," she said.

"We don't have enough social housing or suitable places for people with a disability."

Ms Chesters expected the community would be pressing all candidates for Bendigo for answers.

"Political parties are going to have to have a plan for it," she said.

Advocates from national group Everybody's Home are pressing Canberra's political leaders to deal with a 200,000 home shortfall in the social and affordable housing sectors.

"We saw record rental price growth in 2021 even during COVID-19 restrictions. As the economy continues to rebuild, prices will increase even further, pushing up housing stress and homelessness." campaign spokesperson Kate Colvin said.

"Homelessness and housing stress are already at record highs. Many households across Australia are at breaking point."

A federal government would need to step in despite Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia investing up to $10 billion over the next few years to build social housing, Ms Colvin said.

"While we should applaud the state governments who have stepped in to invest in social housing, only the Federal Government has the fiscal firepower to make a significant difference." Ms Colvin said.

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Recent research from the Grattan Institute shows social housing has fallen from six per cent of all housing to less than four per cent since 1991.

The decline means a greater proportion of low-income households have to compete in the private rental market, which compounds shortages in places like Bendigo.

The Liberal party has been approached for details on when it would select its candidate for Bendigo.

Federal housing minister Michael Sukkar has been approached for the government's position on the housing Everybody's Home says is needed.

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