Resilient homes program (RHP)

The Resilient Homes Program provides funding to help homeowners in flood-affected areas raise or retrofit their homes, with house raising grants typically covering up to $20,000 for pre-construction costs (including planning, approvals and engineering), up to $100,000 towards construction, and potentially matching additional costs 1:1 depending on eligibility

While retrofit grants offer up to $50,000 to upgrade affected areas with water-resistant materials and building methods to better withstand future flooding.

If you believe your property may qualify, the first step is to seek eligibility through the program, and once approved you can engage a builder to begin the design and DA process or bring forward completed plans, however in our experience the best results come from involving your builder early and working alongside designers during pre-construction to ensure the project is feasible and aligned with your budget, avoiding costly redesigns or plans that cannot be built.

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House Raising and Flood Retrofit Grants in the Northern Rivers

The Resilient Homes Program (RHP) was introduced to help homeowners in flood-affected areas of NSW improve the resilience of their homes.

The program provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners to undertake projects such as house raising or flood retrofitting, helping reduce the risk of damage during future flooding events.

Many homeowners across the Northern Rivers including Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore, Brunswick Heads, Lennox Head, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads may be eligible for support under the program.

We assist homeowners by coordinating the planning and construction stages required to move forward with house raising or retrofit projects.

What Is the Resilient Homes Program?

The Resilient Homes Program is a NSW Government initiative designed to help homeowners reduce the impact of future flooding on their properties.

Depending on eligibility, the program may provide funding to support options such as:

• Raising an existing home above flood levels
• Retrofitting a home to improve flood resilience
• Other flood mitigation solutions

The program focuses on properties located in flood-affected areas throughout the Northern Rivers region of NSW.

House Raising Under the RHP Grant

House raising is one of the most effective long-term solutions for protecting a property from flood damage.

By lifting a home above potential flood levels, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of future flooding while also creating additional space underneath the house.

House raising projects typically involve:

• Engineering design and structural planning
• Lifting the home using specialised house raising contractors
• Installing new structural supports or foundations
• Completing construction beneath the raised home

We help manage the process by coordinating the professionals required to plan and deliver the project.

Flood Retrofitting Solutions

For some homes, flood retrofitting may be an alternative option under the program.

Flood retrofitting involves modifying an existing home to reduce the damage that floodwater may cause.

This can include improvements such as:

• Raising electrical services
• Installing flood-resistant materials
• Improving drainage and ventilation
• Structural improvements to improve resilience

Each property is different, and the most appropriate solution depends on the structure of the home and the flood risk in the area.

Managing House Raising and Retrofit Projects

Projects funded under the Resilient Homes Program often involve multiple professionals including engineers, surveyors, certifiers and contractors.

We help homeowners coordinate the planning and construction stages of these projects, ensuring the right professionals are involved and the process moves forward smoothly.

Our role may include:

• Coordinating engineers and structural design
• Organising surveys and site assessments
• Managing approvals and certification
• Coordinating house raising contractors
• Managing construction and final fit-out works

By managing the process, we help simplify what can otherwise be a complex project for homeowners.

Resilient Homes Program Grant Funding

The Resilient Homes Program (RHP) provides financial assistance to homeowners in flood-affected areas of the Northern Rivers region of NSW to help reduce the impact of future flooding.

Depending on the circumstances of the property, eligible homeowners may qualify for funding under several different grant streams.

The program supports a range of flood mitigation solutions including house raising, flood retrofitting, rebuilding, relocation, or voluntary buyback.

Below is an overview of the key funding categories available through the program.

Home Raising Grant

Eligible homeowners may receive up to $100,000 (including GST) to raise the liveable areas of their home above flood levels.

House raising is often one of the most effective long-term solutions for flood mitigation, particularly for timber homes built on stumps or piers.

Raising a home can help reduce future flood damage while also allowing homeowners to create additional living space, storage areas or garages underneath the house.

Home Retrofit Grant

The program may provide up to $50,000 (including GST) for flood retrofitting improvements.

Flood retrofitting involves modifying an existing home to make it more resilient to floodwater.

This can include improvements such as:

• Installing flood-resistant building materials
• Raising electrical systems and services
• Improving drainage and ventilation
• Structural improvements designed to reduce flood damage

Retrofitting can be a suitable option where house raising may not be practical or necessary.

Home Rebuild or Relocation Grant

Eligible homeowners may receive up to $100,000 (including GST) to rebuild a home that has been severely damaged or to relocate the home to a safer location on the property.

This option is generally considered where flood risk is significant and raising or retrofitting the home may not provide sufficient protection.

Voluntary Home Buyback

For properties located in areas that present a high risk to life and safety during flood events, the NSW Government may offer a voluntary home buyback.

Under this option, the government purchases the property and the land is returned to open space to reduce future risk.

Assistance With House Raising and Retrofit Projects

If your property has been assessed under the Resilient Homes Program, we can assist with coordinating the professionals required to plan and deliver the project.

This may include working with engineers, surveyors, certifiers and experienced contractors to complete house raising or retrofit projects across the Northern Rivers, including Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, Ballina, Lennox Head, Lismore, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads.