One of the key concerns for the Lismore and Northern Rivers communities during the rebuilding process is housing affordability.

Will the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) be able to purchase land, whether it be rezoned or is to be re-zoned, and build houses/townhouses/units that are affordable for flood-affected people to purchase.

The question from many of the 2000 residents that will be eligible for house buybacks is "how can my pre-flood priced house in South Lismore (as an example) that could be valued at $500,000 get me a newly built property out of the flood zone without incurring an increase in my mortgage of $200,000 or more?"

While the answer is quite a long way from being developed, however, a first step was taken this week when the NRRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Landcom so they can explore joint opportunities for the benefit of communities in the Northern Rivers region with greater efficiency.

The NRRC and Landcom have a shared objective to deliver affordable and sustainable housing outcomes for Northern Rivers communities and commit to ongoing collaboration on joint projects that improve social and economic benefits for people in the region.

The MOU will support the sustainable growth of the Northern Rivers by providing a range of affordable housing options for low to moderate-income households including (but not limited to) key worker and Aboriginal community members. It will also further strategic partnerships with local councils, state and Commonwealth Government agencies, non-government organisations and businesses to improve housing diversity and supply, and infrastructure outcomes in the Northern Rivers.

Some of these strategic partnerships are already in place.

Recently, Landcom and Lismore City Council launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) tender process for a Community Housing Provider to partner in the delivery of up to 64 affordable housing dwellings across two sites in Goonellabah. This RFP is strongly aligned to the critical housing needs of the region. The NRRC are joining Lismore City Council, Landcom and the Department of Communities and Justice by participating in this project and are contributing $2.5 million to help progress the development.

David Witherdin, CEO NRRC told the Lismore App, "A greater diversity of housing, including low-cost and social housing, is required in the Northern Rivers. Affordability of housing is front of mind for most people and the NRRC has this as a key focus in unlocking supply.

"The MOU with Landcom demonstrates our clear intention to work together as partners with the Northern Rivers communities to deliver affordable housing. The NRRC is supported with $100 million provided by the NSW State Government towards the unlocking of housing supply." 

Alex Wendler, Landcom CEO, said “Even before the disastrous floods earlier this year, the communities in the Northern Rivers were already dealing with a housing crisis and a lack of affordable housing. Landcom has been working with local councils in the Northern Rivers region for some time and these partnerships are now starting to deliver a pipeline of projects.

"This MOU with NRRC will strengthen our capacity to increase the much-needed supply of housing in the Northern Rivers including long-term affordable housing”.