Australia’s homelessness crisis laid bare as South Australian man dies in his car outside men’s shelter

Australia’s homelessness crisis has been laid bare after a man was found dead in his car outside a men’s shelter.

The tragic discovery was made in Adelaide’s CBD on Sunday morning.

Friends fear the man succumbed to near-freezing temperatures, with the temperature dropping overnight to as low as 3C.

“I came out to catch the bus and there was someone banging on the window,” Damian, who resides at the shelter, said.

The St Vincent’s centre knew him by the name Dominic and said he was a kind man in his 80s who generally kept to himself.

“I was shocked ... you know, I really teared up because he was a very polite man,” Thomas Gaye, who worked at the centre, told 7NEWS.

“He comes out here and sleeps in his car. He can go in there but, you know, he sticks to himself like a lot of guys do.”

Other men from the centre told 7NEWS he felt safest sleeping in his car.

The tragedy puts a spotlight on the housing crisis, with many being forced to sleep rough.

A federal government plan to address homelessness and increase social housing is set to begin on Monday with the commencement of a new financial year.

However, it will take years to put a roof over the heads of some families.

The $9.3 billion, five-year agreement kicks in on Monday and requires states and territories to match the funding.

NSW will receive more than one quarter of the funding ($2.82 billion), closely followed by Victoria ($2.36 billion) while the ACT receives the smallest proportion ($157.4 million).

The Northern Territory, where homelessness has been measured at 12 times the national average rate, is due to receive 3.12 per cent, or $290.2 million.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose own story of growing up in public housing is well known, has again championed the plan.

“I know firsthand the life-changing power that a secure roof over your head provides,” he said.

Housing Minister Julie Collins said the historic agreement was part of the government’s $32 billion Homes for Australia strategy.

“This ... will provide much-needed funding to support homelessness services across the country and help build more Homes for Australia,” she said.

As well, up to one million people receiving Commonwealth rent assistance will receive a 10 per cent increase to the maximum rate.

Australian Council for Social Services chief Cassandra Goldie put the rent assistance rise in perspective when it was announced in the May budget.

“The modest Commonwealth Rent Assistance increase builds on last year’s rise, giving a single person an extra $9.40 a week if they’re receiving the maximum rate,” she said at the time.

“Based on median rents, private renters receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance will still be in deep housing stress because their base rate of payment is so low ... even with the increase, they will be paying half of their income in rent alone.”

- With AAP