Housing program supports creation of 40 new homes
LISMORE City Council’s Housing Grant program is addressing the region’s housing crisis by funding 40 new dwellings, with half of its $1.2 million budget still available.
The program provides $15,000 grants to eligible landowners to encourage diverse housing options for Lismore’s community.
So far, 19 applications have been received, proposing 40 dwellings, including 11 re-sited homes, six new constructions, and 23 units.
Grant recipient Andre Stamatakakos said the funding provided much-needed financial and emotional relief during the process of building a home.
Grant recipient, Andre Stamatakakos, said the program provided a welcome financial and emotional boost to getting into a home.
“Having that extra $15,000 meant we could complete things we hadn’t expected to finish, which took the pressure off and made a huge difference,” he said.
“The process was surprisingly simple and streamlined.”
Saffron Bond, another program recipient, said the grant was crucial in helping her relocate her home after the floods.
“This grant has helped make the move smoother, covering some of the costs so I can focus on getting the house to a safer place, out of flood, where we can settle,” she said.
“This beautifully rebuilt home, which is gorgeous now, will sit on a nice little out-of-flood block. Every cent counts. This grant helps me try to claw my way back to my position before the flood.”
Mayor Steve Krieg said successful applicants could use the funding to contribute to building a new home or moving an existing home.
“Lismore is in desperate need of smaller and more affordable housing solutions, and these grants are just one measure we have in place to assist in meeting that demand,” he said.
“While affordable housing is traditionally the responsibility of state governments, council has been able to utilise Australian Government funding to facilitate these much-needed opportunities.”
The grant program offers six categories, including relocating flood-affected houses within the Lismore Local Government Area.
The 80 available grants are allocated on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis until the pool of funds is committed.