Greens leader Adam Bandt says his party is prepared to meet Labor halfway but still expects a commitment to a rent freeze and affordable housing.
The real estate industry says calls to control rent rises would force landlords out of the market and do nothing to address supply shortages.
A new report paints a bleak picture for renters and forecasts shortage of 106,000 homes across the country by 2027.
The government wanted the policy passed this week,but lack of support in the Senate means it will now have to try again after the budget in May.
Sluggish home construction and continued high demand are two of the factors that will help keep rents rising and vacancy rates at low levels for years.
The federal government plans to fund 30,000 social and affordable homes,but crucial Senate votes hinge on more ambitious commitments.
The Coalition is tipped to reject the housing fund,forcing the government to negotiate with the Greens and independents to save the key election pledge.
The nation’s treasurers meet on Friday,with the federal government pressing for plans to deliver on its 1 million-homes promise.
Housing organisations are worried more Australians will be thrown into homelessness without more action from the government.
The two-hour roundtable will focus on issues including barriers to investment in affordable housing by banks and the $3.3 trillion super sector.
An agreement between the federal and state governments aims to boost housing construction to more than 200,000 properties a year to help address the country’s housing crisis.