The research, undertaken in April, has shown that out of more than 150 available rental properties in the Cessnock area, none were found to be affordable and appropriate for people on parenting payments, people with a disability, single aged people or young people on benefits.

Samaritans CEO Peter Gardiner said he is disappointed the housing situation had not improved since last year.

“What we’re seeing is that the most vulnerable in Cessnock – those without work, those who are aging and those raising children on their own – simply cannot afford the rent,” Mr Gardiner said.

“Affordable housing comes down to how much weekly income people spend on rent, and the reality is those on lower incomes are forced to spend too much of it on rent.

“This means that the most vulnerable people living in Cessnock need to cut back on other basic expenses including food, transport, medicine and the like.

“Samaritans too-often sees people coming to us for emergency relief assistance because they’ve spent so much of their income on rent they can’t afford to put food on the table or pay their electricity bill.”

The research was undertaken by analysing the number of rental properties advertised during one day in April and assessing affordability (30 percent of weekly income on rent) and appropriateness (accessibility, number of bedrooms).

In this election year Samaritans, along with the wider Anglicare Australia network, is calling for tax system reform that multiplies cheaper rental housing, an increase in housing stock that better meets the different needs of people, and a commitment to grow the supply of social housing.