NSW Labor is calling on the NSW Government to extend the rental support program for flood affected communities which is due to expire in 9 days time and to urgently process applications for rental support to people who are in desperate need.
 

The Flood Recovery Rental Support Program is due to run out on 24 June 2022.
 

There are people still living in wet tents, temporary accommodation or on the floor of friends and family with no access to funds to help.
 

People were promised rental support for 16 weeks.  After 16 weeks only 1,937 (16.5 per cent) of over 11,700 people who applied have received any support. The program has paid out $17.7mil, or just 7.1%  out of $248 mil of the money available. This program is due to close in 9 days.
 

64 per cent of people in desperate situations have been deemed ineligible, some because they could not provide paperwork that was lost in the floods.
 

For small businesses, the support has been inflexible and has only been provided to one third who applied.
 

The Government needs to get more people urgently on the ground going door to door providing case management to ensure those who need help can get it.
 Comment from Jihad Dib, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services:

“We’re calling on the Government to extend the grant program for rental assistance.

“It’s common sense.

“There’s no point announcing support programs that people in need can’t access.

“Try telling someone who has lost their paper work in the floods that they aren’t eligible for assistance. We can do better then that.”

JIHAD DIB MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENERGY & CLIMATE CHANGE