Another 50 Northern Rivers flood buyback homes will be offered for reuse as affordable housing, crisis accommodation, key worker housing or community facilities.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority is expanding its Homes Reuse Program, which already has more than 100 buyback homes and up to 250 temporary housing pods available to eligible organisations.

The deadline for expressions of interest has also been extended to October 19, giving community housing providers, councils, Aboriginal organisations, not-for-profits and NSW Government agencies more time to develop proposals.

Up to $135,000 is available for each eligible buyback home to help cover the cost of removing and relocating it within the Northern Rivers.

Reconstruction Authority Executive Director Northern Rivers Adaptation Division Kristie Clarke said the priority was to keep suitable homes in the region and put them back to use.

“More than half of the homes acquired through the buyback program have been identified as potentially suitable for relocation, and our priority is to reuse those homes wherever we can,” Ms Clarke said.

“The Homes Reuse Program gives community organisations another pathway to put these homes back into productive use.”

So far, 160 buyback homes have been sold through the auction program, while more than 80 homeowners plan to gift or relocate their homes themselves.

Homes made available through the reuse program can be used for affordable, social, transitional or crisis accommodation, key worker housing, or community spaces providing support services.

Where houses cannot be relocated, the Reconstruction Authority says materials are reused or recycled where possible, with more than 450 homeowners already given an opportunity to salvage materials before demolition.

Organisations interested in applying or finding out more can visit the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s Homes Reuse Program page:  NSW Reconstruction Authority – Homes Reuse Program

Applications close Monday, October 19.