Agencies serving Lake Cargelligo and Murrin Bridge hope to map the areas' housing need with a survey launched this month.

They want to see if the statistics support the local experience that there is a serious housing shortage in the area that is impacting their towns on many levels.

In October last year the Community Builders Lake Cargelligo and Murrin Bridge Interagency network sent a letter to NSW housing minister Rose Jackson, asking whether new social housing was planned for the area in the 2024-25 budget.

A response the next month said that no such development was planned for the Lachlan Shire Council area.

A spokesperson for Homes NSW told the App that the number of lodged social housing applications on the waitlist for Lake Cargelligo indicate "limited" demand for social housing.

"Homes NSW prioritises the delivery of new social housing based on several factors, including social housing waitlist data, the availability of existing social housing stock or private rentals, and the weekly rent price," the spokesperson said.

"There is no threshold or baseline for areas to be considered for social housing development, however areas with lower demand or need will be a lower priority for delivery."

The number of applications recorded on the social housing waitlist for Lake Cargelligo at the end of the month. Figures were not provided in September and December 2024, and January 2025. SOURCE: Department of Communities and Justice

Lake Cargelligo had seven applications on the social housing waitlist in February 2025.

The Department of Communities and Justice does not publish data specifically for Murrin Bridge in its monthly reports.

However, the area sits within the Cobar shire, which in February 2025 had 28 applications on the waitlist.

Central West Family Support Group's Helen Hargrave, who is a part of the interagency network, said the statistics don't reflect real need.

"It's the age-old story of 'why would I apply for housing when there's none,'" Ms Hargrave said.

"And for teacher housing, Police Force, paramedics, nurses - the people that come to town for specialist jobs - housing is limited as well."

She said some residents can't complete the application process because they don't have access to birth certificates or can't afford replacements.

She also said it is difficult to secure a private rental in the areas.

The survey asks residents to rank housing-related priorities in their community including affordability, homelessness and availability.

It also asks what factors they believe impact local housing.

Ms Hargrave said Community Builders will share the statistics with Homes NSW, Lachlan Shire Council and businesses involved in local housing.

"As the interagency, we are looking at what the gaps are, where we can help community members," she said.

She encouraged locals in need to make housing applications, even if they don't believe there is housing available, to show demand in the statistics.

The vacancy rate in Lake Cargelligo sits at 0.22 per cent according to Real Estate Investar. It's zero per cent at Murrin Bridge.