Ever since the State Government announced the intention of setting up temporary housing communities for those displaced by the catastrophic February 28 flood, the debate has raged over the concept itself and the size and feel of the communities being created.

The Lismore App went to Wollongbar to see the progress being made and talk to residents about life in temporary housing. This is where we met Chris and Jude as they were making their way to the pub for lunch.

Chris and Jude moved in on Friday the 13th of May, an inauspicious date for some but positive for them so have been living in their new home for ten days. As you can see by the photo, the first row has residents while the second row is being prepared for new arrivals, maybe next week according to Chris and Jude.

"It's very comfortable and everyone in the first row are very happy with it because they had nowhere to go and now they feel nice and secure."

There are people from all over the Northern Rivers, Lismore, Ballina, Woodburn and Bungawalbyn living in the newly created Pods as people's homes or caravans were trashed.

"We were renting and we can't go back so have to find somewhere new to live while others can go back but they have to wait for their house to be rebuilt. One bloke was living with his father and they have to rebuild because the house is not habitable. They've given most people 12 months to two years to get on their feet," Chris said.

Residents don't pay rent, electricity and water so the money that does come in through work, the pension or government payments and grants allow people to save their money until they find a place to rent or move back into their own properties.

"I think the purpose of this whole thing, and it's what we're going to do, is get ourselves together and save a bit of money so the next steps can be a little bit easier."

What are the Pods like?

"They are clean and tidy, a little bit like a caravan I guess. There is a little shower and toilet, washing machine and double bunks," Chris said.

"There's a dryer over here," Jude said pointing to the community building to the left.

Cooking is proving a little more challenging with two hot plates as the only option at this stage. However, Community Housing has been very proactive in asking residents what they would like to make life more comfortable so Chris and Jude have an air fryer on the way, their other choice was a microwave. Plus there is talk of making the awnings more weatherproof so people can sit outdoors on a rainy day as it has been.

The maintenance guy walked by while we were chatting and once again Chris and Jude said he was excellent at fixing any problems plus there is security roving the area as some equipment has gone missing before residents appeared.

Chris and Jude appear to have all the information as to the Wollongbar Temporary Housing set-up.

"It's just going to be two rows of pods and caravan and things like that. Bigger places for families with two bedrooms, there's only a couple of them. This row is really only for one or two people."

Are you happy you can call this home?

"We're pleased that we've got a roof over our head and we just don't have to worry about that sort of thing plus it's high and dry."

"Everyone is feeling quite happy because otherwise they would be flung into a motel somewhere. We have been in Coffs Harbour, we've been stuck at neighbours for a few weeks then went down to Wooli."

"We got a call from Service NSW and they asked if we would be interested in going in and I said yes, went in and saw them and the next minute I got a phone call from the Community Housing people who said come and have a look. We came and looked and said yep, that will do us. I'm really quite surprised, it's really quite secure and clean and everyone is respecting each other's space."

The complex is set in the sporting fields in Wollongbar so is quite isolated from shops and eateries. Chris and Jude have a car so can easily make a trip into Alstonville when they need to, however, they did say there are regular buses to the complex that take those without transport to get supplies.

As Chris and Jude said, most people that land here have no idea what they are going to do but at least these sorts of temporary housing communities give them a roof over their head, clean and comfortable living, stability and enough time to work out the next step in their life.