Tamworth's housing services are deeply concerned about the region's strained rental market and the added pressures this is putting on locals.
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It's a perfect storm created by an influx of outside people filling up rentals, cuts to JobSeeker which means more have been placed in 'rental stress' and a lack of affordable housing options.
Lynda Townsend, service manager for Tamworth Family Support Services, said she was "absolutely disappointed" in the federal government had "again" pushed aside safe and affordable housing.
She added the state government had "tried" to stimulate the economy by providing COVID supplements, however more significant investment in social housing and a lift in the base rate of unemployment benefits was needed.
Phil Donnan, Director of St Vincent de Paul Society North West region, said the NSW Government has missed the opportunity to meet the need for social housing, with the $812 million housing featured in the State Budget "not going far enough".
Around the region, there are areas where the is significant growth in industry, the influx of earning from which is seeing rent prices increase.
"This squeezes our people on low income," he said.
"We have seen a shift with people cashed up from Sydney coming which is forcing [prices] up. The Mid-West has a real boom, the New England and Liverpool Plains are still experiencing a strong demand on real estate."
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Ms Townsend had also seen the trend, with people relocating from city, coastal, western areas, making the :competition for available properties is quite significant."
While supporting clients looking for places to live, they see up to 30 applicants for one property, and she cannot see "any significant improvement in this area for a few years."
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson was approached multiple times for comment on the situation.
