Meet the new face of the housing affordability crisis: the 31-year-old MP for Kew, Tim Smith.

Mr Smith confirmed on ABC radio on Friday he was renting in the seat he fought so hard to represent because of Melbourne's skyrocketing property prices.

MP Tim Smith at Kew Junction. Credit:Eddie Jim

Mr Smith, who is the opposition's parliamentary secretary for affordable housing, moved to Kew in 2012 but is renting despite his desire to become a first home owner.

"It's one aspect of my life I really want to improve," he told Fairfax Media. "It's certainly a sore point for my parents."