Quick off the mark, Lismore City Council had made it official after voting on the issues less than a week ago and will launch a $1.2 million Lismore Housing Grant program on 1 July.
The grants will provide $15,000 to eligible landowners to stimulate the construction of new affordable housing.
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said a total of 80 grants will be available on a ‘first-come-first served’ basis until such time as a pool of the available funds are fully committed.
Housing the responsibility of State Government
‘Affordable housing is really the responsibility of the State Government, however Council did receive some Federal Government funding that must be utilised to facilitate new affordable housing opportunities.
‘The Lismore Housing Grant program will go some way easing the housing crisis to help our community, and importantly is also open to flood-affected residents who want to relocate their home within the Lismore Local Government Area.’
Six eligibility criteria
The program has six eligibility criteria that are designed to create more diverse and affordable housing options for the Lismore community.
The application form is now available on Council’s website, as well as a factsheet detailing
eligibility. Simply go to www.lismore.nsw.gov.au
The application can only be considered once a Development Application (DA), Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a Section 68 Application has been lodged on the NSW Planning Portal.
Council will then assess the application with the determination made within 30 days. Grant monies will be paid upon completion of construction of new housing and the issuing of an Occupation Certificate.
Housing Grant Dashboard
Once the program opens, Council will create a Housing Grant Dashboard on its website showing the total pool of money that is available, how many applications have been received, how many have been accepted and the amount that remains available.
Any DA, CDC or a Section 68 Application that has already been lodged through the Planning Portal, but not determined before 1 July, will be eligible to apply for a grant. Those that have been determined will not be considered.
The grants are funded by the Federal Government’s Building Better Regional Cities program.
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