Homes for Health.

Why This Matters

The Bellingen Shire is reeling because of the national  housing disaster that has been decades in the making —rents are soaring, properties are scarce, and real estate prices have skyrocketed. This is making it harder for our local healthcare system to attract and retain staff, leading to bed closures and service strain. Click below to view short film we made about this issue. But as a community, we can take action by providing housing options for healthcare workers and student nurses.

How It Works

The Homes for Health initiative connects healthcare workers and nursing students with local homeowners who have spare rooms or self-contained spaces. Homes For Health is focusing on finding homes for people working at the Bellingen River District Hospital (Bellingen Hospital) and the Dorrigo Health Campus.  There are three ways to help:

🔹 Short-Term (Up to 6 Weeks) – Hosting nursing students on placement at Bellingen Hospital .
🔹 Interim (Up to 12 Months) – Providing longer-term accommodation at affordable rents for hospital staff, GPs, and allied health professionals.
🔹 Ongoing – Longer term strategies to encourage affordable housing solutions, like encouraging homeowners to transition short-stay rentals or make them available for healthcare workers between peak booking times. The Waterfall Way Community Land Trust is a new, not for profit local initiative kick started by the Housing Matters Action Group which intends to provide secure and perpetually affordable homes for local workers.

Who Can Get Involved?

Homeowners with spare rooms or self-contained rentals  who want to help keep our hospitals open and viable

Join Us!

This community-driven project is led by the Bellingen Hospital Action Group (BHAG), Housing Matters Action Group (HMAG), Bellingen Shire Council, Boambee East Community Centre (BECC), and local partners.

🔹 If you’re a Bellingen Shire homeowner and want to help, we’ll provide full support every step of the way!

🔹 Get in Touch: info@housingmatters.org.au

🔹 Mobile: 0494 331 821

Are you a homeowner interested in participating? Complete this intake form and we’ll be in touch.

Acknowledgement of Country.

Jagun yaam Gumbaynggirrgundi. We acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr People as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to all Elders and First Peoples past, present and emerging. Always was, always will be.