A latest report released on Wednesday by the Council of Australian Governments Reform Council showed the number of homeless is growing in Australia.

While the number of people sleeping on the streets declined since seven years ago, the number of homeless people have jumped 17 per cent during the same period, spurred by the growing number of migrant people entering Australia.

The report noted that overall housing security had likewise slid from 2006 to 2011.

The number of "rough sleepers" or those living on the streets dropped six per cent from 7247 in 2006 to 6813, which showed progress in tackling rough sleeping on the streets.

"Rough sleeping is what most people think of as homelessness," Council Chairman John Brumby said.

"They are some of the most disadvantaged Australians, those who sleep without a proper bed or shelter, so any fall in the number is welcomed."

However, the number of homeless people, which could be attributed to growing severe crowding and temporary accommodation, surged to 105,237, which also meant it will be highly impossible for COAG to meet its 2013 benchmark to reduce homelessness by 7 per cent.

"In a sense the demand has been growing more rapidly than the supply," Mr Brumby said.

"It's always difficult to crystal ball things, what's going to happen in the next seven years. It may be that population growth slows, and it may be that supply catches up."

Most of these homeless people live in major cities. About two thirds were born overseas and are most likely to be recent migrants.

He likewise said the council's 2020 target might likewise be unmet, but not out of reach.