With housing becoming less affordable in an increasingly tight rental market, in combination with economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the end of the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub's lease, the crisis has come under the spotlight ahead of the upcoming December 4 local government elections.

Council re-established the Homelessness Taskforce in September to address the "dire situation", but service workers have been commenting for months that immediate action is needed.

Incumbent Greens Mayor Amanda Findley, who is on the taskforce, said she has been a "fierce advocate" for affordable housing in the area and will continue to pressure governments to increase housing stock.

"For Shoalhaven to meet some affordable housing goals we need to consider every option available," she said.

"I have worked closely with government with an aim to refresh the public housing stock across the city.

"I would also like to see the development controls for the Nowra CBD amended to allow for more housing, which would in turn help stimulate the return of the retail economy."

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Cr Findley also said she would take the plight of the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub to council to find the organisation a new home, but also called on the state and federal governments to "play more of a role".

In the last financial year the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub helped 536 clients, a 128 per cent increase over its funded target.

"I want to see what council can do to assist - but it's also about getting the whole community to bring it to council's attention who's got what available and how it might be able to be utilised to continue this service," said Cr Findley.

Cr Findely said she's hopeful council "might have a property available or at least broker a deal" to help find them a new local home.

"I'm not sure what council has available and I know under statutory laws, council can in some cases, just charge minimum rental funds," she told the Register earlier this month.

"I would even like to see council investigate the possibility of even putting a small subsidy towards any higher rent it [the Hub] might be charged if it is forced to move into a commercial building."

Independent councillor Nina Digiglio, who is running for mayor but not as councillor due to making an error in nomination forms, is also on the Homelessness Taskforce and has advocated for the issue in council.

Cr Digiglio said she would also work with the government to increase affordable housing, while ensuring housing is accessible and inclusive.

"I will encourage local government initiatives to increase affordable housing, by sourcing land and grants that allow councils the flexibility to do this," she said.

"We need to review planning laws and advocate for changes in local planning laws for affordable housing models that are sustainable and accessible for people of all abilities."

Deputy Mayor Greg Watson, who was first elected to Shoalhaven council in 1974 and has been mayor a number of times, is running for the seat again as part of his group the Shoalhaven Independents, alongside Patricia White and Mark Kitchener.

Cr Watson said he would try combat the issue by releasing land for more development.

"I believe we have to release more land for development with a view to increasing completion in the property market and as a result cause a reduction in land prices through supply," he said.

"Additionally we need to pressure those government agencies responsible for community housing supply to dramatically increase funding."

Cr White said she has been actively working to see what properties she can make available in the Shoalhaven.

"I've been working with a number of people who have given me some excellent ideas about how we can free up affordable housing and the rental housing," she said.

"There are some simple measures that I will pull in place. I'm working with (council) staff on this issue I've looked at and I can free up about 15 properties in one of the local villages that could become rental properties.

"It's not a hard decision to make it to be able to put them back on to the rental market."

Former Shoalhaven Mayor Paul Green is the only mayoral candidate not currently on council vying for the position.

He held the role of mayor from 2008 to 2012. If elected, Mr Green said he would "aggressively pursue" the affordable housing strategy and use council-owned buildings to provide housing where possible.

"I would get council to pursue building shared equity housing around the city and use any existing council stock to create housing opportunities," he said.

"I would make representation to state government to allow granny flats to be built in all zones that have a residence on them."

Mark Kitchener did not respond to the South Coast Register's requests for comment.

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