Former RSL LifeCare Fromelles Manor to be refurbished for crisis accommodation in Lismore
A former Lismore nursing home, where aged care residents were rescued from the second floor in the 2022 floods, will soon be reborn as crisis accommodation.
Lismore
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Former RSL LifeCare’s Fromelles Manor, where aged care residents were rescued from the second floor in the 2022 Lismore floods, is set to become crisis accommodation.
Social Futures bought the abandoned site in September for $7.5m before successfully applying for grants to have the 30 unit site refurbished.
Government funding announced this week of $768,862 will be a partial contribution towards refurbishing the flood-battered building into 30 self-contained ensuite rooms, providing safe and secure shelter for individuals and families.
The “welcome news” comes on the back of Statewide Street Count data showing a steady rise in homelessness rates in Lismore, reflecting a concerning trend of increasing homelessness across the North Coast.
As part of the $100m Homelessness Innovation Fund, Homes NSW has partnered with Social Futures on the project.
“We hope to have the formal planning, approvals and refurbishment complete for use in the second part of 2025,” Social Futures asset manager community housing Barrie Lowder said.
“We will maintain full building facility management, operational and service delivery. Social Futures will create a support navigation model to case manage each residents individual needs and we will also co-ordinate visiting services to support residents.”
Mr Lowder said they will work closely with the NSW Government on who will be able to access the new housing once available, due to current procedures in place with temporary accommodation providers across NSW through Link2home.
“It will be a strictly temporary accommodation which is used to address a vulnerable persons immediate housing need while working towards a permanent housing outcome,” Mr Lowder said.
The McKenzie St site near Lismore shopping square will adopt a secure model of supported temporary accommodation, which integrates immediate crisis accommodation with on-site wraparound supports focused on addressing health, wellbeing and the underlying issues of homelessness, leading to planned exits to secure long term housing options.
“There is potential for a social venture cafe for employment training and co-location of community services and health professional rooms on the ground floor,” Mr Lowder said.
Additional on-site visiting services of drug and alcohol counselling, NDIS access, mental health, and psychology are also on the cards.
Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin said project was a vital step forward in addressing homelessness in Lismore.
“Transforming a disused facility into a safe and secure place for individuals and families shows what can be achieved when government, community organisations, and local leaders work together,” she said.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said this was exactly the kind of action needed to tackle the housing crisis.
“These 30 new units will give people across the Northern Rivers a safe and secure place to rebuild their lives during incredibly challenging times,” Ms Jackson said.
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