Lismore City Council (LCC) will enter a Memorandum of Understanding with Landcom and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice to build more affordable housing on Council-owned land in Lismore.

Under the proposal, up to 24 units could be built at 44 Bristol Circuit in Goonellabah, and 40 units at 69 Cynthia Wilson Drive.

On the Bristol Circuit site, it is proposed Council will provide a 50-year lease and contribute up to $2.5 million it has already received from a Federal Government Building Better Cities grant.

On Cynthia Wilson Drive, it is proposed that Council contributes the land and the Department of Community and Justice contributes $5 million to allow the development to go ahead.

Under the MOU, Landcom would act as project managers, with the housing owned and managed by a yet-to-be appointed Community Housing Provider. This ensures Council has no ongoing maintenance, property management or asset replacement costs.

(Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones (left), Deputy Mayor Jerri Hall, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and LCC General Manager John Walker at today's announcement on Cynthia Wilson Drive, Goonellabah)

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said of the project, after attending the announcement "It was fantastic to see my advocacy pay off this morning at the announcement of a $7.5m build of affordable housing in Lismore". 

"Lismore City Council provided the land and an agreement has been struck between Landcom, DCJ Housing and the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation to develop it." 

"40 units on Cynthia Wilson Dr in East Lismore and 24 units will be built on Bristol Circuit in Goonellabah." 

"I have driven this project since day one with Landcom and brought then CEO John Brogden to our region to show the need for housing (see our photo below from last year). "

"I thank Landcom for their active support of our community and Lismore City Council for their work in securing this development". 

"I am here to see this through and continue to deliver action on the housing crisis."

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the project will help ease housing pressures for people at risk of homelessness in Lismore.

“Delivering affordable housing is one way to unlock a range of services which allow people greater access to secure housing and at the same time helps them live more independently,” she said.

“Greater access to housing and support pave the way for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure a brighter future.”

Councillor Adam Guise and Greens State Candidate said on social media after attending:

"A beautiful day for an affordable housing media announcement for approximately 40 units at Cynthia Wilson Drive. 

They've been in the works for a while now and still years away from completion, but they will add to Lismore's desperately needed affordable housing.