The marginal federal seat of Gilmore has made a list of the 20 electorates with the highest rates of rental stress in Australia.
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Rental stress refers to households with an income in the lowest two income quintiles (the bottom 40 per cent) of Australia's income distribution, who are paying more than 30 per cent of their income in housing costs.
Ahead of this month's federal election, the analysis by researchers from University of NSW for the Everybody's Home campaign shows rental stress is being concentrated in outer suburban and regional seats, which are seen as traditionally affordable areas.
The seat of Gilmore, which covers Kiama, the Shoalhaven and parts of Eurobodalla, is currently held by the Liberals, albeit with a margin of just 0.70 per cent.
Sitting member Ann Sudmalis is retiring.
In the list of Australia's top 20 electorates for rental stress, Gilmore ranks at No.16.
According to the analysis, 39 per cent of renters are living in housing stress, and 5724 households are in rental stress.
National Everybody's Home campaign spokesperson Kate Colvin said the analysis busts the myth that housing affordability is an issue only in inner Sydney and Melbourne.
"The data shows that housing affordability is just not an inner city phenomenon experienced by millennials," Ms Colvin said.
"In fact the traditionally affordable areas of Western Sydney, and regional NSW and Queensland have more renters doing it tough than anywhere else in the country.
"Marginal regional seats such as Richmond on the NSW North Coast, and Gilmore on the NSW South Coast have the highest rates of low income earners struggling in the private rental market - which should be a wake-up call to all parties that they can't afford to ignore housing as an issue."
She said the narrow focus on real estate prices means almost 811,000 Australian households in rental stress are being forgotten by governments at all levels.
"Research by AHURI clearly shows that upfront investment in social and affordable housing is the most effective way to improve rental affordability, and ensure there is enough affordable rental housing for low paid workers as our population grows.
"Housing is the single biggest cost of living item for almost every Australian household.
"This election we need all parties to announce real policies that show they're taking the issue seriously."
The data compares rents and incomes across electorates to identify the number of households in rental stress.