Building more social and affordable housing that helps accommodate low-income earners and the homeless is one of the long-term solutions to ending the state government spending tens of millions of dollars on temporary accommodation in local motels, as mentioned yesterday (Lismore motels being used to house the homeless ).

Two not-for-profit community housing providers are in different stages of providing 38 rooms for temporary and long-term accommodation.

Anglicare North Coast (ANC) has submitted a development application (DA) to Lismore City Council to create a Boarding House for eight (8) dwellings on Rous Road, Goonellabah, including an accessible dwelling with suitable parking.

ANC own the land and will be the ongoing operator of the completed Boarding House. It will accommodate up to 12 people.

In the DA, they say:

We are an established, registered, and highly respected provider of community housing in the region, with our own tenancy management, maintenance and administrative support functions. We have a board-agreed strategic plan to expand the portfolio of community housing in the region to meet high and unmet demand.

The eight units will be fully self-contained with kitchenettes, en-suites, and courtyard areas. It will also include a communal room and a communal clothes washing area.

The tenancies will be 50% social housing and 50% affordable housing tenants. Most tenancies will be single occupants, with the potential for a couple of 2 x individual tenancies. The total number of tenants will not exceed 12 persons.

ANC said the development will be very attractive and suitable for essential workers (teachers, nurses, police officers) who cannot afford private sector rental prices across the Lismore area as it is within close proximity to the local Goonellabah Shopping Centre, and a 6-minute drive from the Lismore CBD.

It will also be attractive for low-income earners who are eligible for Social Housing, usually those on some form of government income, such as aged pension, jobseeker etc.

Tenants will be subject to formal long-term occupancy agreements that provide tenants and landlords with security and certainty.

The address is right beside the Bruxner Highway, offering close proximity to public transport.

The cost of the Boarding House is $1.24 million. The ANC states that the NSW Government has financially supported the project.

The rooms are expected to be rented for $180 to $380 per week. ANC says the New Generation Boarding House business model has been designed to attract a sufficient rental return, enabling for the provision of high amenity design, providing a benefit to the community.

This will ensure a high residential retention rate and minimise the impact on adjoining residents.

It is not in the interest of the landlord nor the tenants to see the neighbourhood’s character tarnished, nor to have a business model that relies on a diminishing pool of prospective tenants. The intent for this development is to maintain a high level of standard both architecturally but also ongoing through ground maintenance and visual appearance of the property.

ANC report, through their own research, that the waitlist for social housing is 10 years. They have three (3) new developments in the development phase.

FROMELLES MANOR

In December 2024, the Lismore App reported that the former aged-care centre, Fromelles Manor on McKenzie Street, near the hospital, was to be converted into providing temporary accommodation for Lismore's homeless by community housing provider Social Futures.

Mid-2025 was the potential completion date; however, there have been delays. The project is set to be completed in late 2025.

Barrie Lawder, Asset Manager Community Housing, Social Futures, provided an update.

"Refurbishment works at the former Fromelles Manor site in McKenzie Street are progressing well. The temporary accommodation project is on track to welcome its first residents in late 2025.

"The project will deliver a safe and supportive environment for people experiencing homelessness, with tailored on-site support to help residents transition into long-term housing, employment, and improved health and wellbeing.

"Funding for the project includes $1.078 million from the NSW Government's Homelessness Innovation Fund (HIF) and further funding of $2.9 million Crisis Temporary Accommodation Program (CTAP) funding under the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), contributing to the total cost of refurbishing 54 rooms, creating consultation and staff spaces, and establishing 24/7 professional management.

Phillip Street, Goonellabah

Another community housing site Social Futures manages is Phillip Street in Goonellabah. The DA has been approved, tenants moved, and demolition work has begun on constructing 18 new units, which will be a 50/50 mix of social and affordable housing.

"In relation to the Phillip Street site, Social Futures worked closely with all residents to support their transition into alternative housing before demolition and construction began," Mr Lawder said.

"The majority of tenants shared a desire to stay connected to their local community, and as such, Social Futures has ensured continuity and stability of local housing outcomes for each tenant.

"We thank the community and our partners for their ongoing support as we continue to deliver much-needed housing solutions for the Northern Rivers.