The Joint Regional Planning Panel has approved the $27.88 million Landcom development in East Lismore that will help ease Lismore's rental crisis.

The 50 Build-To-Rent apartments will be constructed on the corner of Military Road and Crawford Road, East Lismore, where it is expected to house approximately 110 people.

Medium-density housing represents only a fraction of how people live in Lismore. Historically, this has been a city of three-plus bedroom homes that now has a lot of one or two persons living in those homes.

The apartments will be a mix of sizes from studios to three bedrooms, with 20% allocated for affordable housing. Landcom staff explained at an East Lismore community meeting that low-income earners will be given priority to rent 20% of the new apartments.

The apartments will suit the needs, lifestyles and budgets of different households, with future residents close to shops, schools, Southern Cross University, open space and other community infrastructure.

(An early drawing of the proposed 50 Build-To-Rent apartments in East Lismore)

The site for the apartments is not prone to floods, and the design aims to maximise solar access and cross ventilation for the well-being of future tenants. The development will also include private off-street parking, as well as outdoor communal spaces, a mix of subtropical plants and views of bushland in the east.

There is no indication from Landcom as to when they will break ground on the development.

East Lismore is one of three proposed developments aimed at affordable housing.

Bristol Circuit in Goonellabah and Cynthia Wilson Drive, East Lismore, will deliver another 56 affordable rental townhouses when built. Landcom is in the process of selecting a Community Housing Provider (CHP) to deliver the development and provide tenancy management services. The CHP will become the owner of the properties and be responsible for maintaining the buildings and landscaping.

A Landcom spokesperson told the Lismore App in October, "Landcom, in partnership with Lismore City Council, Homes NSW, the Reconstruction Authority and the CHP sector, is developing an Affordable Housing project in Goonellabah.

"The project aims to deliver approximately 56 affordable rental townhouses across two sites: 16 at Bristol Circuit and 40 at Cynthia Wilson Drive. These homes will cater to low-moderate income earners, including essential workers such as teachers, nurses, and retail staff, among others.

"There will also be an emphasis on providing affordable homes to people impacted by the floods.

"The project is progressing and we expect to make an announcement in the coming months to advise the CHP partner and next steps."

Landcom will collaborate with the chosen CHP and Council to finalise the design and prepare the Development Application (DA). Community engagement sessions will be held prior to the DA submission, providing community members an opportunity to offer feedback on the project.