Lieutenant Kate Cathcart, from the Salvation Army in Bathurst, said she has seen many clients struggling with homelessness, and only expects to see more as the weather grows colder.

Lt Cathcart said the issue is wide spread, affecting all age groups; teenagers, unemployed people, single mums and middle aged men and women.

Anglicare released its annual Rental Affordability Snapshot last month with the worst declines for singles on the age pension or the minimum wage.

A year ago, there were 15 properties on offer, which were affordable for single elderly people - this year, there was only one.

In 2018, a single person on the minimum wage could afford 20 properties on the market - this year, it came down to five.

Lt Kate Cathcart, who has been in Bathurst for just four months, said there are appear to be limited opportunities in the private rental market, and that's if you haven't had problems in the past.

She said for anyone with rental history issues, it's virtually impossible to get a property, even if one does come up in their price range.

Adding to the problem is the fact government housing in the city is limited.

Lt Cathcart said the situation is so dire, it often leaves people with very little option other then to sleep in their car.

"It's far more common then people realise, I only saw a gentleman recently who is in his late 50s and sleeping in his car here."

Other options include staying with friends, sleeping in their garage or their kitchen, which she said is obviously not a long term solution.

"All it does is cause tensions in the household. Other then that people just sleep rough, getting by the best they can, getting a bed whenever they can."

Lt Cathcart said it has gotten to the point people have given up on the housing sector.

"If you're on a low income, its too hard."

Lt Cathcart said she expects to see an increase in requests for help as the cooler weather arrives, and people have no where left to turn.

She urged the community to be compassionate to those who have fallen on tough times many of whom have simply had really hard lives since they were very young.