The chamber says potential workers have been discouraged from relocating to Griffith because of the complete lack of available housing.

President of the chamber Paul Pierotti says "nearly all" of the chamber's 147 members have expressed serious concern with the amount of available workers and the issue has reached a point of "significant distress".

"It doesn't matter whether you're looking for nurses, doctors, accountaints, fruit pickers, baristas ... any business in every category is in significant distress and we're struggling to even maintain our position, let alone grow," Mr Pierotti said.

"Griffith has significant issues with being able to move to. We're at the peak of an extreme housing crisis. There are no available homes, rental prices are skyrocketing and there just aren't any available rental properties."

A record number of Australians have moved from the city to the country this year, but Griffith has completely missed out on this potential growth by not having enough houses, Mr Pierotti said.

In 2020, a proposed TAFE centre in Griffith touted to bring 60 jobs to the region was controversially moved to Tamworth. TAFE NSW cited the lack of available housing as one of the reason's behind the decision.

Griffith City Council adopted a housing strategy in 2019, which projected 1,744 additional dwellings would need to be built by 2036 to house the city's growing population.

Mr Pierotti said this strategy is too little too late.

"Griffith's housing strategy is radically short of the mark."

"The fact is we need dozens of homes right now, because we need workers right now."

IN OTHER NEWS:

The Griffith Business Chamber is holding a presentation on the workforce crisis to discuss the extent of the issue and potential solutions next week.

Mr Pierotti said one solution to the crisis could be for Griffith to become a designated area migration agreement (DAMA) zone.

DAMA regions provide more access to overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program and would help the region attract skilled foreign workers, Mr Pierotti said.

The presentation will be held at 6pm on Thursday, April 8 at the Southside Leagues Club.

Those attending the meeting are asked to RSVP by emailing info@griffithbusinesschamber.com.au.

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