The groups, which included the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Local Government Association of Queensland, St Vincent De Paul, Growcom and the Queensland Farmers Federation, described the issue as a “perfect housing storm” which had led to a range of social challenges including increased homelessness, mental health pressures, drug and alcohol abuse and crime.

The call coincides with the rental vacancy rate in Brisbane that had fallen below 1 per cent recently. In 2019, before the pandemic, it was about 3 per cent. House prices have also escalated by as much as 30 per cent last year in Brisbane and more in places like the Sunshine Coast and parts of the Gold Coast.

House prices were also expected to keep rising in Brisbane this year by about 10 per cent.

The call by the groups is bound to increase the likelihood of housing becoming a key issue in the federal election.

In a letter to the Federal Government’s Minister for Housing Michael Sukkar, the groups said there was an urgent need for a co-ordinated strategy because the impact was projected to cross industries and regions.

“More recently unprecedented low interest rates, sharply rising property prices, supply chain issues, significant labour shortage issues and scarcity of trades have worsened the housing crises and been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and recent severe storms and floods,” the letter said.

“In some of our most vulnerable First Nation communities, overcrowding resulting from a shortage in housing has become a human rights issue and has escalated Covid-19 outbreaks during the pandemic.

“A national housing summit would allow all three levels of government and industry to work together to begin addressing this complex issue and work towards a solution in a strategic, co-ordinated and considered way.

“We urge the Federal Government to listen to our clarion call and commit to this important step of a national summit.”