It has been well documented that Australia's, NSW's and the Northern Rivers' homeless situation has been exacerbated by the lack of housing, especially social housing, over the past decade.

For Lismore, the floods of 2022 was another tipping point in worsening the homeless situation locally. The call-out for homeless people to come to Lismore during the Pine Street squatters saga certainly hasn't helped the situation.

Where do the homeless live?

It is not widely known, but a significant portion of the homeless community has been living in Lismore motels, paid for by Homes NSW, a state government organisation that is part of the Department of Communities and Justice.

Following the 2022 floods, limited motel accommodation was available. As each CBD building was rebuilt and refurbished, Homes NSW began approaching motel owners and managers about housing some of our homeless population.

Owners spent a significant amount of money on their rebuilds and refurbishments, and it made financial sense to accept the above-market daily rate and have no vacancies.

The Lismore App spoke to some motel owners, who will remain anonymous due to sensitivities around the topic, who said they are being paid $200 to $220 per night. Most motels around Lismore have an average room rate of around $160 to $180 a night. So, over a week, that adds up to $1,400 to $1,540 per room per week. The number of rooms across Lismore motels varies between 15 and 40.

The Lismore App understands Homes NSW has different rates with different commercial providers, with rates typically agreed upon as a nightly fee. The initial costs of temporary accommodation arranged via the Link2home service are covered by Homes NSW. Extensions may involve a co-contribution from the occupant, which is assessed depending on individual circumstances. No contribution is expected from those escaping domestic violence. 

Link2home is a 24/7, statewide information and referral service in NSW for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Often, local community housing providers, like Social Futures, will refer people to Link2home for temporary accommodation.

Some motel owners who accepted the Homes NSW proposal to house homeless people have recently changed their minds and are now transitioning out of the arrangement. There are extreme circumstances where they would still look after long-term occupants or those suffering from domestic violence.

The reasons for the change are that the challenges it brings outweigh the financial gains.

Managing people suffering from alcohol, drug and mental health issues is causing social issues for everyday motel guests who are in Lismore for a wedding, sporting event or a holiday. Then there is the damage to motel properties, which will eventually be paid for by Homes NSW.

One person mentioned that if there are four or more homeless guests living in the motel, they would congregate and become unmanageable, which would have an effect on other guests. It is a noble idea that doesn’t work practically, was the common phrase used.

It appears that now, owners are all in or all out.

A quick search for motel bookings for the rest of the year revealed that two are completely sold out for every day of the week until December 31, 2025.

There is no timeline on how long an individual can stay in temporary accommodation. One motel has half a dozen people who have been there for approximately three years.

Typically, the duration of temporary accommodation (TA) assistance was 28 nights. On 12 July 2023, Minister Rose Jackson waived the 28-night cap on TA for all people and households facing homelessness.  

This policy change applies across all Homes NSW services across the state, including Link2home. As a result, there is no set end date for TA where ongoing support may be required to meet the housing needs of affected individuals and families.  It is determined based on an assessment of each client’s immediate housing needs.  

Pine Street Squatters

With the Pine Street squatters soon to vacate the NSWRA-owned buyback houses and some motels choosing to no longer participate in housing the homeless, will there be enough options for Homes NSW?

According to Homes NSW, they currently have a healthy number of registered TA providers in Lismore and the Northern Rivers.  

Homes NSW will assist anyone who is experiencing homelessness who meets the eligibility criteria, even if they have relocated to Lismore from another area. 

The organisation has already actively engaged with the squatters at Pine Street on multiple occasions throughout 2024 and into 2025. 

During these interactions, the squatters were provided with comprehensive information on accessing housing assistance, including guidance on applying for TA, Rentstart Bond Loans, and other support services available through Homes NSW and its partner agencies.  

A Homes NSW Spokesperson told the Lismore App, “Homes NSW is committed to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Lismore and the Northern Rivers.  

Temporary Accommodation (TA) is not a new program and has long been available to NSW residents without secure housing options, including those impacted by the 2022 floods.  

Homes NSW works closely with registered TA providers to assess needs and connect clients with appropriate housing solutions. We continue to deliver responsive, compassionate and practical support to those in need.  

If anyone is experiencing or at risk of homelessness, contact LInk2home on 1800 152 152, available 24/7 for information, support and referrals.”  

What is the long-term solution for Homes NSW when dealing with the homeless in Lismore? 

Having a safe, secure, and affordable home addresses homelessness, which means increasing all types of housing, including social housing, affordable and private market rental housing. 

Homes NSW is actively addressing homelessness in Lismore by building and funding more social housing in partnership with local community housing providers and builder partners. They are also ensuring that people can access support when in need. They do this by funding local specialist homelessness services and street outreach teams.

They have also established the Homelessness Innovation fund. This provides grant funding to local services to develop new homelessness accommodation options and innovative responses to address homelessness. 

In Lismore, this includes a partnership with Social Futures, which will transform the vacant aged-care facility on Mackenzie Street into temporary accommodation for 30 families and individuals facing homelessness, thanks to a $769,000 grant. You can read the story by clicking here.

While longer-term change is coming, it is a little bit like the flood rebuild, it takes longer than anyone would like.