This grant funds not-for-profit organisations to provide legal advice and advocacy services to disadvantaged consumers in resolving residential building disputes.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $334,000
- Application opened: 30 September 2022
- Application closed: 21 October 2022, 5:00 pm
Program objective
If you’re a not-for-profit organisation with demonstrated skills, abilities and commitment to provide home building advocacy services for vulnerable consumers in NSW, this grant may be for you.
This program is administered by NSW Department of Customer Service.
This program is funded by NSW Fair Trading.
Eligibility
Who can apply
The following people and organisations are eligible for funding:
- those that operate and are based in NSW,
- are an incorporated community based, not-for-profit organisation or registered charity,
- have demonstrated experience in delivering high level, legal advice and advocacy services.
Who can't apply
The following people and organisations are not eligible for funding:
- organisations intending to use the funds for a project in a State/Territory other than NSW
- universities, TAFE and other academic institutions
- government agencies
- NSW Fair Trading, including the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).
Types of projects funded under this grant
The program is for organisations who help the most financially and socially disadvantaged in the community such as:
- those with literacy difficulties
- non-English speaking background consumers
- Aboriginal consumers
- aged consumers
- those with disabilities
- those who are financially or intellectually disadvantaged.
Example projects
Successful HoBAS funding recipients provide a high standard of service delivery through appropriately trained professional staff, who are supported, resourceful and accountable. They work to provide services, and community engagement activities such as:
- advice to NSW residential home building consumers on their rights, responsibilities and on what action can be taken to resolve their home building dispute
- advocacy to builders or relevant parties on behalf of residential home building consumers via telephone calls, letters or personal representation
- negotiation of disputes between consumers and builders or relevant party
- assistance to residential home building consumers in the preparation of cases for Tribunal hearings
- representation of residential home building consumers at Tribunal hearings where considered appropriate
- referrals to relevant authorities
- community education activities.
Past recipient
Western Sydney Community Legal Centre
Suite 302
Level 3, 107 Philip Street
Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone: (02) 8833 0994
Facsimile: (02) 8833 0900
Website: www.wsclc.org.au
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
You will need to:
- read through the program and application guidelines before you begin to prepare your application
- provide responses directly relevant to each of the selection criteria
- provide relevant, concrete examples of organisational experience and proposed service delivery
- provide references to support business activity claims, as well as past or current achievements
- do not assume that your organisation is known to the assessment panel
- accurately reference the supporting material in the correct section of the application form
- provide full links rather than hyperlinks to references in the application form
- do not attach unnecessary documents
- make sure the contact person and referees for the application are available for at least four weeks after the closing date
- review the checklist to make sure you have included all required information.
Address the eligibility criteria
- attach a copy of certificate of incorporation or an organisation registration certificate
- evidence that your current and future business activity takes place in NSW
- evidence that your organisation helps the types of consumers listed above.
Proof your organisation conducts eligible activities under HoBAS
- the latest annual report describing the strategic operations and achievements of the organisation
- examples of service policies that include complaints management plus casework practices.
Proof of financial and business activities
- 2 audited financial statements
- details of subcontractors such as contracts, agreements or invoices
- consortia must also provide letters of intent or Memorandum of Understanding from participating organisations.
To be considered for HoBAS funding, it is recommended you comply with the items listed above. For further information, refer to the guidelines (PDF 303.81KB).
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: NSW Fair Trading, Community Grants.
Applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria which outline the minimum requirements an applicant must meet to be eligible for funding. Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will then be assessed against the assessment criteria and comparatively against other candidates considering the consistency of the proposal with program objectives and the capability, experience, and skills of the applicants.
Applicants will be informed in writing of the decision regarding their application.
Support and contact
If you need more information on eligibility, time frames or if you have questions about the application form email grants@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.