NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson's office confirmed the 16 units being built in East Lismore on Caldwell Avenue and Walker Street will be used for social housing.

This is in addition to the construction of 6 more units, 100 metres along Dibbs Street, that has already been used for social housing and is being redeveloped.

Minister Jackson told the Lismore App, "The development proposals for 1-3 Walker Street, 2-4 Caldwell Street, East Lismore are to deliver more social housing for the Lismore community."

"As the Minister for Housing, I have been clear that delivering more social and affordable housing is crucial, and we will work across the board to do this." 

"NSW Land and Housing Corporation are seeking community feedback to help chart our path forward, to ensure the homes we deliver resonate with residents."

"We want to create more homes and better places to live for the people of NSW, especially for the Northern Rivers community who have been impacted by some of the toughest weather conditions. Every opportunity, every street, every chance we have to increase social and affordable housing, particularly in the Northern Rivers, we will take it."

Local Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin welcomes the social housing project.

"The minister has visited Lismore and the Northern Rivers on a number of occasions, and I have informed her of our needs which are massive."

Leading community service organisation Social Futures stated earlier this year that the Northern Rivers needs 18,600 social and affordable housing units to be built.

"This is helpful, and it's a good start, Ms Saffin said, "We need to make sure, like everything in our rebuild, we design it well."

"Everyone counts, but we still have a long way to go. We should be celebrating a win."

While no one doubts the need for more social and affordable housing in the Northern Rivers, a question does hang over the funding source, which was quoted in the letter to East Lismore residents as being from the NSW Government's $150 million Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Program.

When asked to clarify the funding details, as the Lismore App could not find a relevant program, the minister's office referred to the Federal Government's Disaster Ready Fund, which is executed by NEMA (National Emergency Management Association).

The Land and Housing Corporation later clarified that the funding from Federal and State Government funding was announced on April 12, 2022, by the then Morrison and Perrottet governments.

The package included $168 million given to the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) to deliver urgent social housing solutions and replace social housing lost during the floods. Of this LAHC committed:

• $150 million over 3 to 4 years to deliver new and replacement social housing in flood-affected locations
• $10 million for the repair and replacement of 27 police homes
• $8 million for immediate and longer-term repairs of flood-damaged social housing properties.

According to LAHC, the $150 million was renamed the '$150 million Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Program.