What are pod villages?
There are pod villages (temporary housing villages) in the Ballina, Byron, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed Shire areas to support occupants affected by the 2022 floods.
The program is delivered by Homes NSW and managed by community housing providers (CHPs) – Northern Rivers Housing, Uniting, and Aboriginal Community Housing Limited.
CHPs are responsible for day-to-day management of the site, allocations to pods and on-site security, and are also the occupants’ first point of contact if there are any issues.
For more information, see Northern Rivers temporary housing on the NSW Government website.
Am I eligible? How can I apply?
All applications will be assessed by the Uniting Recovery Support Service (RSS) team. They will:
- determine your eligibility
- manage your application, and
- assist with placement into a pod (if one is available).
To apply, please call Uniting on 0403 786 473.
Is there a fee to live in the pod villages?
From late 2024, occupants of most pod villages are required to pay a licence fee.
The licence fee is like the rent that you would need to pay if you were in social housing.
The amount that you pay will depend on your income and the average cost for accommodation of a similar type in the area.
Some occupants do not have to pay a licence fee in some circumstances, including:
- where an occupant is paying a mortgage or site fees on their disaster impacted primary residence
- where an occupant is contributing significant, regular funds to repair, fit out, or purchase alternative accommodation that is part of their transition plan
- where an occupant is a participant in the Aboriginal Housing Office/Indigenous Business Australia Home ownership pathway scheme, and
- other extenuating circumstances.
If you are being charged a licence fee and think that you shouldn’t be, call us for help on 1800 801 529.
An occupant can request a temporary pause of payment of their licence fee for up to 3 months where they are facing acute financial hardship or if they are unable to immediately pay the licence fee because of exceptional circumstances.
If you need help applying for a pause or you are not sure if you can get one, call us on 1800 801 529.
How can I get legal help?
The Disaster Response Legal Service provides free, statewide legal advice and help for occupants living in pod villages, including:
- eligibility for the pod village scheme
- issues with licence fee amounts
- problems paying your licence fee
- if you’ve been evicted or asked to leave your pod, and
- your rights if your pod village is closing.
Book a free and confidential appointment with a solicitor from the Disaster Response Legal Service by calling 1800 801 529.
Resources
Other information
For information on the Pods on Private Property Program in the Central West, see Central West temporary housing on the NSW Government website.