The Northern Rivers’ peak local government organisation is urging both the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to do more to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis gripping the region. 

Chair of the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO) Michael Lyon said he was especially devastated by the recent news that Byron Shire had again topped the annual NSW Street Count for rough sleepers. 

“Secure, affordable housing is a basic human need that is fundamental to the liveability of the Northern Rivers region and wellbeing of its communities,” Chair Lyon said. 

“It is totally unacceptable for our region to be experiencing the current level of homelessness. 

“Funding for homelessness services and vital social housing is relatively high in Sydney, while regional funding is manifestly inadequate to meet our needs.   

“We need a significant funding commitment from both levels of government as we clearly have the most need and the regional inequity is beyond comprehension,” Chair Lyon said. 

The NRJO’s submission last year on the Australian Government’s proposed National Housing and Homelessness Plan highlighted how the region’s crisis had been severely exacerbated by extraordinary population growth through the COVID-19 pandemic and devastation wreaked during the 2022 flood disaster. 

“We’ve stressed to both the NSW and Commonwealth Governments that social housing levels are significantly low in the Northern Rivers, with it only making up between one and four percent of all housing stock in our member councils’ local government areas,” Chair Lyon added. 

“Adequate social and affordable housing is vital in supporting our most vulnerable people to exit homelessness. 

“All our region’s community members deserve to be housed, with the support they need to live with dignity,” Chair Lyon said.  

One of five strategic regional priorities established by the NRJO is to improve community wellbeing now and into the future. A key goal in delivering on this priority is increased availability, affordability and choice of housing to meet the needs of the current and projected Northern Rivers population. 

To achieve this, the NRJO and its member councils have committed to partner with relevant government and non-government organisations to support increased access to social housing and homeless and crisis accommodation services across the region.