The organisations have together demanded all political parties commit to halving homelessness across Australia by 2025.

On Friday incumbent Parkes MP Mark Coulton said his government was focused on improving programs that would help people affected by the issue get into the workforce.

Labor candidate Kate Stewart said she backed her party’s policy, which included an “aim to halve homelessness by 2025”.

At Dubbo there were severely limited rental options for single parents and low income earners, a recent study by Anglicare showed.

Anglicare and five other prominent charities together demanded the commitment in a letter to all four major political party leaders.

“Dubbo residents deserve better access to housing,” Anglicare chief Jeremy Halcrow said.

“It’s not good enough to see vulnerable people facing years of waiting in temporary accommodation before they can get a safe roof over their heads.”

Mr Coulton said he noted Anglicare’s concerns about individuals receiving youth allowance or Newstart being unable to afford housing on their own.

“As well as contributing to improved housing and homelessness outcomes through the National Affordable Housing Agreement and other assistance for vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians, the Coalition Government is focused on improving programmes that will help people affected by this issue get into the workforce,” he said.

“By helping able-bodied people into the workforce, we are not only improving their economic situation so that they are better placed to afford housing but also helping to enhance stability and social well-being in their lives.”

On June 16 opposition spokeswoman for housing and homelessness Katy Gallagher Katy Gallagher announced Labor’s housing affordability policy, which included “aim to halve homelessness by 2025”.  

Ms Stewart said: “I look forward to working with a future Minister Gallagher in a Labor Government to, particularly, reduce homelessness in rural and regional communities. I also look forward to working on crisis and emergency accommodation in rural and regional communities, like Dubbo.”