Social housing should make up one-tenth of total Australian homes under a national housing campaign's recommendations for ending homelessness.
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Roughly five per cent of the residential housing stock is publicly owned and Everybody's Home is recommending a 10 per cent target to reflect declining affordability.
The suggestion has been made as part of a submission to the federal government's national housing and homelessness plan, which is under development and expected to be released next year.
Everybody's Home spokeswoman Maiy Azize said the proportion of social housing had been "falling off a cliff" while housing stress and homelessness had grown.
"Renting has never been less affordable," she said.
"Housing stress has become the fastest growing cause of homelessness."
The group also wants federal support payments to help low-income households indexed to actual rents to ensure they keep up with price fluctuations in the private market.
Limits on capital gains and negative gearing tax exemptions were also recommended along with redistributing tax revenue to build new social and affordable homes.
Ms Azize said the federal government should aim to entirely erase homelessness.
"Our federal leaders must deliver an ambitious national plan and back it with the required commitment and resources," she said.
Housing affordability and homelessness have been a focus for the federal government, which passed its $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund a few months ago.
Australian Associated Press
