Mind Australia has found strong links between mental illness and trouble securing housing, and it's no different here in Bathurst.
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In a partnership with AHURI research, the team found some Bathurst residents with mental health issues struggled to find housing.
Mind Australia's research and evaluation manager Elise Davis said what they found here would help their team to analyse themes and provide solutions.
"People are feeling judged by real estate agents and public housing providers and that's mostly because of their income levels," Ms Davis said.
Two consultants from the mental health service providers stopped in Bathurst on their Australia-wide community research trip.
The Trajectories research team, alongside mental health and disability providers Wellways, spoke to around 10 Bathurst residents with mental illnesses.
"Generally we're talking to people who are on a waiting list or in public housing," Ms Davis said,
The researchers found that for lower-income earners, funding private rental was not possible, but real estate agents were not helpful.
"We found that having negative experiences with housing providers impacted those people's mental health."
The research team's findings from 13 community consultations country-wide will be the foundation for an advocacy project.
Alongside partnered mental health service providers they will deliver focus groups to help those struggling to secure housing to overcome the obstacles.
