The NSWRA (Reconstruction Authority) today announced it will start charging people a fee to stay in any of the 11 POD Villages in the Northern Rivers.

In the aftermath of the devastating floods in 2022, the NSWRA established temporary housing villages in the Northern Rivers, with the assistance of councils and other landowners under crisis accommodation planning exemptions.

The villages were always intended to be temporary, providing accommodation and support for flood-impacted residents to help them get their lives back on track.

For the last two years, accommodation across the 11 villages has been provided free of charge.

Now, as happens in the general community and in line with other housing programs managed by the NSW Government and Community Housing Providers, the RA will require residents to contribute to the cost of their housing. 

This will be done through a licence fee, advocated by the Northern Rivers Community Leaders Forum.

The licence fee will be income-tested and set at either the average rate for accommodation of a similar type in the area or at a reduced rate based on an income assessment, which will be undertaken by the Community Housing Provider managing each village. 

The licence fee is in line with similar payments required under existing social housing programs.

The NSWRA says its focus remains on ensuring residents across the 11 villages are transitioned into safe, long-term housing.

"We’re in discussion with councils and other landowners about the site leases and other arrangements for all villages, which progressively come to an end from mid-2025."

"We’re also working with Homes NSW to see if some villages can be repurposed to meet ongoing housing needs in the region."

This could help to provide more housing options while solutions to increase supply of social and affordable housing are under development.

There has been speculation about the temporary villages being used for worker accommodation, which is in short supply due to the housing crisis as Lismore and the Northern Rivers move into the construction phase of the flood rebuild.

Meanwhile, Community Housing Providers, with the support of RA, Homes NSW and local support services, are working closely with village residents on a case-by-case basis to support them into housing that is appropriate to their needs, such as private rental, aged care, assisted living or social and affordable housing.

Any longer-term use of temporary housing sites will be subject to landowner consent, planning approval, community consultation and federal and state government agreement.