The Minns Labor Government is continuing to pull every available lever to address the housing availability and affordability crisis facing New South Wales, with a historic pipeline of housing to be delivered across the Northern Rivers over the next two years.
Over 355 public and community homes will be delivered across the Northern Rivers over the next two years leading up to June 2027. This includes:
- 133 homes in Tweed
- 69 in the Richmond Valley
- 51 in Lismore
- 2 in Kyogle
- 52 in the Clarence Valley
- 48 in Ballina
Further, the Minns Labor Government has announced the purchase of a formerly vacant residential village on Soorley Street in Tweed, converting it into permanent housing with on-site support for people in need.
The site includes 70 self-contained units and had sat empty until earlier this year, when it was temporarily reopened as emergency accommodation for older people and people with living with a disability. This was made possible through a $525,800 grant from the Homelessness Innovation Fund.
Rather than see the property sold off or returned to market, the NSW Government has stepped in to buy it, securing its future as housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Located next to Tweed City Shopping Centre, the complex is already delivering real results by providing stable housing and on-site support to help people remain housed long term.
This intervention is part of the Government's broader shift away from using hotels and motels as crisis accommodation. The focus is now on dedicated housing with support services that deliver better outcomes.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government's historic $6 billion Building Homes for New South Wales Program, which on the Northern Rivers has seen:
- $13.6 million invested for pod villages, including converting 58 pods in Brunswick Heads into key worker Housing.
- $1.87 million invested in dedicated homelessness funding which has delivered 122 additional beds across the area for those who need it most.
- The completion of the New South Wales's largest modular social housing build, with 24 modular homes delivered in Grafton South.
- 165 public homes brought back online, and today providing safe and secure housing.
The Minns Labor Government's focus on delivering, and even directly purchasing more homes is in direct contrast to the former Liberal National Government who sold off or removed more homes than they delivered whilst in Government. Between 2017 and 2021 their completion of 2,257 social homes, paled in comparison to the number they sold off or removed - 3,269.
In the past year the Minns Labor Government has delivered 1,711 new social and affordable homes, the largest increase in government-built public, community homes in over a decade.
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:
"Housing affordability and availability is the single biggest pressure facing the people of New South Wales, but we know it is being felt acutely in our Northern Rivers Communities.
"On top of the housing pressures faced across New South Wales, these communities have been further impacted, by repeated natural disasters.
"The best thing we can do to ease this pressure is to increase supply, which we are doing both with a historic pipeline of new builds, and a direct intervention in the market.
"This is the largest pipeline of Housing for any regional community across New South Wales, and we are determined to continue working with and listening to this resilient community."
Rose Jackson, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness said:
"This is the biggest pipeline of public housing investment in any regional area in NSW. It's happening right here on the North Coast.
"In Tweed, we've taken direct action by purchasing a former aged care village that had been sitting vacant for too long. We're turning it into permanent housing with on-site support for people who need it most.
"This site includes 70 self-contained units and is already changing lives. It is providing stable homes for older people and people with disability who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness.
"We didn't want to see this place lost to the private market. We stepped in and secured it because we know stable, supported housing delivers far better outcomes than emergency accommodation."
Janelle Saffin, Minister for Disaster Recovery and Minister for the North Coast said:
"Addressing the long-standing issue of homelessness in the Tweed is an urgent priority for the region and one we must do together.
"Everything is on the table, including repurposing housing that already exists and using vacant land to create permanent and sustainable homes.
"Thanks to Homes NSW and Social Futures, we are transforming a previously vacant village into permanent homes with the wraparound services to support residents to succeed.
"It is great to see local and state government working hand in hand with community housing providers to create the social and affordable housing options our community need and deserve."
Tony Davies, CEO of Social Futures said:
"We're already seeing positive outcomes at the Soorley supported temporary accommodation site. Participants are finding stability, engaging with our onsite specialist teams, and transitioning into permanent housing.
"By offering 24/7 management, secure facilities, and access to professional wrap-around support services, we're ensuring participants feel safe and supported on their journey to securing permanent housing outcomes."
