The Federal and NSW Governments have today announced a $50 million Housing Support Package to assist eligible homeowners, renters and primary producers who were impacted by the recent severe flooding in the Mid North Coast and in the Hunter.
In a statement, the NSW Government confirmed that caravans and self-contained pod homes will be deployed for eligible flood-hit residents and primary producers whose homes were uninsured and uninhabitable to allow them to stay on their property during repairs.
This is an additional support to the Primary Producer Self Contained Pods Program already announced to support farmers to continue farming while undertaking repairs.
“Recovery is never a one-size-fits-all process. This package reflects a shared commitment across governments to listen to communities, respond to their needs and stand with them as they recover,” said Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain.
Support is also being rolled out to help renters facing financial hardship and uncertainty to relocate their family or set themselves up in a new place – delivered through new rental grants. Introduced in response to the record-breaking flooding in May, these new grants provide one-off financial assistance to help households return to home quickly, covering urgent costs such as removalists, rental bonds and other costs related to setting up a new home.
These will be delivered alongside grants to help homeowners with the costs of repairs, which will also be available to landlords to make repairs to private rental stock where they are willing to commit to returning supply to the private rental market.
“We know in the Northern Rivers and in the Central West that people value the option of keeping their connection to their home and local community and these programs will allow residents in the Mid North Coast and Hunter to do just this,” said NSW Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin.
“We also recognise the impact of disasters on renters and the importance of giving them a helping hand to re-establish themselves.
“We’ve been with the community since the start of this disaster, and we’ll continue to support the community during recovery.”
In another first, a dedicated Housing Recovery Service will operate for residents across the impacted areas, providing a one-stop shop for assistance and to assess eligibility and guide them toward the support that best meets their individual recovery needs.
“When people have to jump through hoops to access to support, it adds to their trauma and causes unnecessary delays,” said NSW Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson.
“The Housing Recovery Service will provide a no wrong door approach for households and community organisations, removing the guesswork for residents trying to get back on their feet.
“It will allow Homes NSW and the Reconstruction Authority to work collaboratively to match eligible flood-impacted people to the right support, avoiding duplication and added stress.”
The package will be offered to flood-impacted residents whose homes were rendered uninhabitable across the 25 local government areas hardest hit by the May event, where they don’t have insurance cover for the damage.
Supports announced today include:
- Provision of caravans for eligible households and self-contained pods for primary producers to live on-site during recovery and rebuilding.
- Rapid home repair grants for eligible homeowners and landlords to ensure homes are habitable.
- Support for eligible renters to cover costs associated with finding and moving into a new property, including bond and removalist fees.
- A new Housing Recovery Service, a special one-stop, concierge model, which will direct homeowners, renters, people in unstable housing and farmers to the best support for their recovery.
- The housing support package will be offered to those who are experiencing financial hardship, are uninsured and have uninhabitable homes, which includes non-functioning bathrooms or kitchens, or major structural damages to the roof walls or floors.
From Monday 25 August, impacted residents will be able to call the Housing Recovery Service on 1800 695 043 for housing assistance and to access support services.
For more information on the support package go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/storm-recovery-updates/housing-support-package-for-nsw-mid-north-coast-and-hunter-floods.
