Rental crisis taking its toll on single-income family

He is desperate to ensure he keeps a roof over their heads.

The prospect of moving into a caravan is daunting, but may be his only option as he has been asked to vacate his East Devonport rental by Friday.

"I have to move, but I'm finding that because I am a single father of three I'm not even getting a look in anywhere," Graham Churchill said.

"I'm arriving at inspections to be told that because I'm a single income family that there 20 applications in front of me who are dual income or more applying."

Mr Churchill said he had been looking for places for himself his three children and their cat across Devonport, Latrobe, Port Sorell and Ulverstone, but there simply weren't enough within his $450 budget.

"I'm working 60-plus hours a fortnight working in disability support and am more capable of paying rent as I have a proven track record of doing so, as well as respectful of the property I'm renting," he said.

"I'm trying to rehome my family and for the last two months I've experienced knock back after knock back."

Mr Churchill knows he is not alone.

Anglicare Tasmania's General Manager Housing and Community Services Noel Mundy said he was very concerned about the rental crisis.

"Single income families are particularly vulnerable," he said.

"Anglicare is hearing that it's almost impossible, either in the cities or regional areas, to find an affordable, appropriate rental property if you are on a low income."

"Anglicare believes more needs to be done to support all Tasmanians struggling to survive on low incomes.

Mr Mundy said the rental affordability snapshot that was commissioned by Anglicare Tasmania over a weekend in March found that of the 714 rental properties advertised, only 16 were affordable and appropriate for a single parent family where the parent was working full time on the minimum wage.

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TasCOSS chief executive Adrienne Picone said the snapshot highlighted the depth of the rental crisis.

"For low income families, in particular those with a single income, the proportion of rent as a share of total wages has risen to unliveable levels, which is impacting their ability to do the very basics including buy nutritious food, afford healthcare, schooling and transport costs," she said.

"Parents on a single income are under immense strain to cover the cost of living, further proof that real wages are not keeping up with inflation - even when you factor in the Fair Work Commission's $40 per week increase."