Greens Housing Spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam says the government’s boost to first home owners’ grants isn’t solving the housing crisis, as new figures show Western Australia having the second highest rate of Mortgage defaults in Australia.

“According to Fitch Ratings Western Australians are amongst those struggling the most to keep their homes. The first homebuyers grant encourages people to start a mortgage, but where are the housing affordability initiatives that help with mortgage stress.”

The Australian Greens Housing Spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam says the Prime Minister must take immediate action on homelessness after failing to deliver during his first twelve months in office.

The Senator issued the call after Australians for Ending Homelessness launched their five point plan in Canberra this morning and the federal government clocked up one year in office.

"Despite making homelessness a high-order priority when he took office a year ago, Mr Rudd hasn't delivered. We're still waiting for an increased investment in preventative measures, funding for support services, and for increased support for public housing. We're still waiting for a united and coordinated response across all areas of government so we can effectively address homelessness," said Senator Ludlam.

"The Greens welcome the passage of the National Rental Affordability Scheme Bill and hope it will provide some overdue relief to renters, but we're disappointed that the government passed up an opportunity to green it up," Australian Greens housing spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said.

Senator Ludlam moved to amend the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) this afternoon, but the amendments failed without government support.

The Australian Greens will move to give cost of living relief to renters today, by amending the government's housing affordability plan.

"Housing affordability is about more than just reducing the cost of a rental. It is also about reducing cost of living expenses, like petrol, electricity and water," said the Greens Housing Spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam.

 The Australian Greens have welcomed a change of heart from the tax office which will increase access to affordable housing for thousands of Australians, in response to pressure from the community housing sector and the Australian Greens.

"An adverse ruling from the ATO would have meant that community organisations participating in the National Rental Affordability Scheme would have lost their tax exempt status, jeopardising the viability of the whole scheme."