Ms Cowell said there were almost no properties available for young people, single parents or people with a disability, and very few properties available for people on the aged pension or for couples supporting children.

“As a regional area there is the assumption that rents in the Eurobodalla are more affordable,” Ms Cowell said

However, Ms Cowell said it was a simple lack of available housing making things too hard for those on low incomes.

She said improving rental affordability was complex.

Improving security for renters, addressing the low level of welfare payments for families, and reducing stigma so people sought help before situations become desperate were essential, Ms Cowell said.

In its eighth year, the Anglicare Rental Affordability snapshot was a survey of regional properties advertised for rent on Saturday, April 1, and assessed for affordability and the number of people accommodated.

Ms Cowell said the survey found there was no affordable and suitable property for anyone surviving on the Newstart or Youth allowance. For a single parent with one or more children, not one flat or townhouse was affordable and appropriate.

She said when comparing data from 2016 to 2017, there was little or no improvement.

Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers called on the government to take action on rental affordability in the upcoming budget: “Everyone needs – and should have – a home.”

“This report shows that renters on low incomes are in trouble all over Australia, with regional areas failing to offer relief.”