Last week, Social Futures and the NSW Government opened the new 54-room homeless hub in Lismore. This week, Minister for Housing and Homeless Rose Jackson and Minister for North Coast Janelle Saffin stated they are building and have built 112 new social homes in Lismore, Alstonville and Casino.

Of the 112 social homes, 32 have been completed, 29 will be completed by Christmas, and the other 51 will be ready by mid-2026.

It’s all part of the historic $6.6 billion investment into social housing to deliver 8,400 new homes across New South Wales.

Eleven projects across the Northern Rivers are underway or recently completed, including:

• 16 brand new homes in Lismore, with about 20 tenants recently moving in. A further 6 homes are under construction, to be completed by mid-2026.
• 61 new social homes in Casino, with 29 to be ready by Christmas and 32 more homes set to welcome tenants by mid next year.
• 16 modern homes recently tenanted in Alstonville, with another 13 due for completion by mid-2026.

(A further six homes are being built in East Lismore)

Construction across these eleven developments has also created a much-needed boost to the Northern Rivers regional economy, with hundreds of jobs expected to be created over the life of the projects for local trades and industry.

The NSW Government is also strengthening homelessness support on the North Coast through the Homelessness Innovation Fund, an initiative bringing close to 100 new crisis and transitional beds online in the area.

These beds come with wraparound services delivered by local organisations, ensuring people not only have a safe place to stay but also access to the support they need to move into more stable housing.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said, “We’re getting on with the job of delivering exactly what we promised, delivering over 100 new homes for people in the Northern Rivers who need a safe and secure place to live.

“We know this region is still recovering from the devastating 2022 floods, and delivering new, fit-for-purpose social housing is about giving people security, dignity and a fresh start. 

“This is a vital step in helping families rebuild their lives.”

Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said, “The North Coast has some of the highest rates of homelessness in NSW, and it is our urgent priority to work together to support access to safe, secure and affordable housing across the region.  

“These homes are an important step in continuing our government's record investment in public housing that our community needs and deserves.”