This week in Lismore people were gathered at an encampment outside the Lismore office of the Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin. They wanted to highlight the urgency of the housing crisis, an existing situation that was exacerbated by the 2022 floods in the Northern Rivers.
Reclaim Our Recovery, a grassroots community group based in Lismore, who advocate for a community-led and just recovery, say that the gathering made visible what some people would rather forget, that housing precarity in the Northern Rivers is one of the worst in the country.
A long and cold winter
A spokesperson said that it has been a long and cold winter, and during that time we are reminded of the importance of having a roof over our heads and a safe and secure place to call home.
‘Everyone deserves that – those at the encampment had planned to stay until a meeting could be arranged with the Minister to have a conversation about what can be done.
‘Yesterday, Janelle Saffin announced her office would be closed, with no indication of when it would reopen. Last night the encampment had to move on under threat of a $700 fine, apparently under some council by-law.
Strong support for action on housing
‘Interviews with people who visited the street and comments on social media, demonstrate that there is strong support for action on housing and concern that Janelle had refused a meeting.
‘The fact is there is a short term solution for emergency and transitional housing that could be made available now. This is the proposal for the use of empty buyback houses, in situ, until they are sold or needed for relocation.’
‘This concept was put forward by the RA in meetings with ROR in 2024, and by team leaders of the Resilient Homes program to a meeting of the Relocate Group.
‘It was apparently abandoned once the issue became politicised, because it has not been mentioned by RA since.
Houses cleaned and renovated post flood
The Reclaim Our Recovery spokesperson said that many of the timber homes, made of precious and now unavailable materials, were cleaned and renovated post flood. ‘They now sit empty waiting until there is affordable land available. so they can be relocated to a flood free location.
‘In a similar vein, the use of existing infrastructure is already being trialed. Buildings such as motels, nursing homes and the like have been purchased by housing providers and other agencies to retrofit as transitional and emergency accommodation – however, it will take time before they are available.
‘The use of existing homes is an opportunity for an immediate response to the housing crisis, easing the stress and buying time for longer term solutions. The government of NSW could take action NOW. Many agencies and advocacy groups, including Local Government NSW are urging governments to give urgent attention to the housing crisis.
Be imaginative and bold
‘Therefore we call on the Minister for Recovery to be imaginative and bold and support a proposal for RA to provide Licences to Occupy for empty buyback homes. Imagine an outcome that is innovative, achievable and would show genuine care and concern for the vulnerable and homeless.
‘Such a step could strengthen the Minister’s hand for encouraging LCC to put into place one of LGNSW Advocacy Priorities for 2025–26, the setting of “minimum targets for public, social and affordable housing”.’
The Reclaim Our Recovery spokesperson said the issue transcends personalities or politics. ‘People from all walks of life and different lived experience support the provision of affordable housing, in its broadest sense. In addition there is a degree of hypocrisy in repeated safety concerns when there are many who had to be rescued who have been refused any support and unwillingly remain in, what we would consider, the flood plain – meanwhile the RA continues to ignore the real safety issues and concerns for those sleeping rough, sleeping in their cars or living in housing precarity, not knowing when they might be evicted.’
Taking action now
Reclaim Our Recovery believe that taking action now to make empty houses available for emergency and transitional housing would be a positive response to community concern for the fate of the big scrub houses, and the failures of the Recovery Programs to address social injustice.
‘We can and should do better, please support this initiative, a bold and imaginative response to the issue of housing precarity and the loss of our built heritage and community connection.’
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