The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is in the midst of a campaign to highlight what it says are distressing facts about housing.
The HIA claims that a disproportionate level of taxation on family homes, growing rates of unaffordability and the high level of job losses in the building sector are severely hurting the property market.
HIA managing director Shane Goodwin said access to affordable housing remains one of the biggest challenges.
"Building new and affordable homes should be actively encouraged, supported and sustained by governments. Governments can't ignore housing any longer. They need to act more constructively, cooperatively and determinedly to meet the housing needs of Australians and their families."
Other key issues that the organisation believes Australia is facing include:
- This year, 25,000 less Aussie homes will be built than a decade ago
- Australia will need 1.3 million new homes built by 2020. At the current rate of building, more than 150,000 families will miss out on the home they've waited for
- Severe drops in new housing have forced many manufacturing and small businesses to close with risks of further layoffs
- Taxes, levies, fees and charges account for 40% of the cost of a new home
