According to Anglicare's annual Rental Affordability Snapshot, virtually no rental properties in Bathurst are affordable for people receiving Jobseeker or Youth Allowance benefits.

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In addition, the number of available properties for a minimum wage couple with two children under Family Tax Benefit Part A fell from 121 [51 per cent of available properties] in 2017 to 58 [54 per cent of available properties] as of March 2021 when the data was compiled.

The data calculates affordable housing as 30 per cent of household income.

Anglicare ACT chief executive officer Jeremy Halcrow said the data was heartbreaking.

"To see the results showing such a concerning lack of housing affordability points to more than a housing crisis," Mr Halcrow said.

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"This shows a deeply flawed housing system from which there is little or no relief on the horizon for low income families."

Mr Halcrow said the number of people moving from Greater Sydney and Melbourne has put low income families at a significant disadvantage, with greater competition for family-sized properties.

"There needs to be significant government commitment to increase public housing, provide greater protections for tenants, and make COVID-19 increases to Jobseeker supplements permanent," he said.

"Housing stress and poverty will become an entrenched and distressingly 'normalized' part of life for a growing number of vulnerable families, and organisations like Anglicare will be increasingly called upon to bridge the gap for those in need if there is not swift and significant change."

The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales's [REINSW] Residential Vacancy Rate report for March 2021 lists the vacancy rate for the Central West at 0.6 per cent.

Raine and Horne Bathurst director Matt Clifton said the extended period of low vacancies is unprecedented.

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"Throughout my time in Bathurst, I have never seen the rental vacancy rate so consistently low," Mr Clifton said.

"I can't see it changing any time soon, unless the town loses a major industry employing a lot of people, which would be a tragedy in itself."

Mr Clifton said it's vitally important prospective renters have thorough applications ready to better their chances of securing an ideal rental.

"It's essential for applicants to have their references and supporting documents pre-prepared to ensure they go before the owners sooner," he said.

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