With more than 5500 homes across the Northern Rivers flood damaged, finding housing for the people who lived in them is an enormous challenge, but today, the Premier delivered a funding package to help move people out of evacuation centres and emergency accommodation.
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Premier Dominic Perrottet said 1324 people are in temporary emergency accommodation on the Northern Rivers, and among the 9200 homes assessed in the region, 5500 were damaged, and 2834 were deemed not habitable.
The Premier warned that was "just the beginning", as they continued to reach isolated areas and assess housing there.
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Today, Mr Perrottet announced a $551 million housing package, with the Federal Government committing to the funding 50/50 - the state providing $285 million commitment to putting roofs over peoples' heads.
The package will help 25,000 households, and deliver rental relief to the value of $6000 to singles and more than $18,000 to larger families.
Mr Perrottet said payments would cover 16 weeks of rental support and would be assessed along the way to see what more relief was needed.
The Premier has been in the region since Saturday and has visited flood ravaged towns with Lismore MP Janelle Saffin to find out what each community needed.
In addition to rental relief, $20 million will be made available to provide pod dwellings for people who want to live onsite as they repair their homes.
A range of housing options were being investigated, including pod dwellings, motorhomes that will begin to arrive on March 13, and recreational camps already secured by the government to provide housing.
The Premier said it was a "it is a multi-layered approach" and gaps would be filled where they arose.
"This is a significant investment to make sure that everyone who needs a roof over their heads has one," Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said.
Ms Saffin said the funding was not limited to one Local Government Area, and was "for everyone" affected by the flood.
Funds can also be used by people who wish to stay in another area or even another state.
People who wish to access the housing and funding need to register with 137788 call service or attend a Services NSW centre.
In Lismore, a centre is located at Southern Cross University - Block V, Military Rd, East Lismore, open 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.
More than 1200 have already registered for help.
