It is almost impossible to rent a small unit in Dubbo and even on the rare occasions one becomes available, chances are it will be unaffordable for most people in the market.
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The average weekly cost of renting a two-bedroom unit in Dubbo has skyrocketed by 13.6 per cent in the 12 months to December 2014, making the city one of the most expensive regional NSW city.
It now costs an average of $250 a week to rent one, equal with Bathurst, while Orange, Wagga, Tamworth and Albury are all significantly cheaper.
And while Bathurst is just as expensive, it is trending downwards, while a shortage in Dubbo means it could continue to soar, as long as someone is still willing to pay the price.
The biggest problem with Dubbo's drought of smaller properties is that the main demographic of this market is young people who are wanting to move out of home, single workers moving to the city, and older people who have been long-term renters.
Generally these people don't have the spare money to be spending on rent and don't have the need for spacious three or four-bedroom houses.
These people are an important market and if something can't be done, it could have a damaging impact on the city's growth.
Programs like Evocities are working hard to lure people from Sydney out to Dubbo for a fresh start but some people will be put off if they can't find affordable accommodation, allowing other cities like Orange and Tamworth to benefit.
Dubbo needs more small housing and it needs to be affordable.