AGRN1212 Home Repair Grant

You can apply for the grant if:

• you are an owner-occupier, or a landlord of a property that was occupied, in an eligible local government area under the NSW East Coast Severe Weather Natural Disaster Declaration (AGRN 1212) before the flood
• the home is uninhabitable because of flood or storm damage
• your property was your primary place of residence, or your tenants’ primary place of residence and was lawfully erected at the time of the disaster
• your household income is within the income threshold for the grant
• you are not covered by flood insurance
• you do not have a current application or have not previously received the Disaster Relief Grant or Renters Bond and Advanced Rent grant

If you are a landlord, you need to agree to return your property to the private rental market at its pre-disaster rental rate for a period of at least 6 months following repairs. 

Eligibility is determined by declarations of natural disasters by the NSW Government.

Location that are eligible include Armidale Regional, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Camden, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Hawkesbury, Kempsey, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter, Walcha, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly

Funding may be used towards the cost of repairing housing to a basic, habitable condition

The Home Repair Grant addresses a critical service gap for low-income households and landlords impacted by AGRN1212, who are above the eligible income threshold for the DRG program.

Uninsured households earning less than $120,000 per annum in gross income whose home was made uninhabitable as a result of AGRN1212 may be eligible for the grant.

The Home Repair Grant does not cover the cost of all repairs but instead is a contribution toward repairs to support the homeowner to return a home to a minimum basic, safe and habitable standard, that allows a resident to return home.

It aims to:

• Support homeowners to return to their homes as quickly as possible, ideally within 12 months, by providing a grant to repair dwellings rendered uninhabitable by the Disaster to a basic, safe and habitable standard.
• Support people to remain connected to their neighbourhoods and communities as part of their recovery and reduce the need to rely on temporary housing and emergency accommodation outside of their support network.
• Support landlords whose property was rendered uninhabitable by the disaster to complete repairs promptly and return affordable rental housing to the market as quickly as possible.

You can’t apply if:

• you have a current active application for or have received a Disaster Relief Grant or Renters Bond and Advanced Rent Grant.
• you have insurance that covers damage to your property from floods
• you are a landlord and your property is leased on a short-term basis, such as holiday lettings
• someone from your household has already applied for the grant.

The Home Repair Grant cannot be used for:

• Co-contribution requirements for emergency or temporary accommodation funded by the NSW Government.

• Costs associated with booking or rental costs for temporary or short-term accommodation or leasing of a new property.

• Repairing damage to external parts of the dwelling or repairs not required to make the home safe and habitable, including driveways and private roads unless the damage prevents safe access to the dwelling or impacts the structural integrity of the dwelling.• Any works not required to return the home to a basic, habitable standard, including cosmetic improvements, upgrading of services, appliances, furniture, utilities that have not been damaged by the disaster, or general renovations.

• Costs associated with establishing alternate, lawful long-term housing, where repairs to a home may be uneconomical. This might include purchase of alternate accommodation such as a caravan, shed conversions or tiny home.

• Tools or equipment required to safely and effectively carry out home repairs.

• Replacement of appliances which are not fixed assets such as microwaves and refrigerators, Where RA has evidence to indicate the provision of a grant does not demonstrate an efficient and effective use of public money compared to other options, RA retains the right to decline a grant

Funding may be used towards the cost of repairing housing to a basic, habitable condition, including:

• utilities, such as repairs or reconnection to essential services e.g. water, electricity, sewerage
• structural repairs, such as restoration or replacement of damaged roofing, flooring, subflooring, walls, fittings and fixtures, kitchens and bathrooms
• demolition, debris removal or pest control
• preparation or acquisition of necessary documentation or reports to enable repairs, such as Council approvals or approvals under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.