Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $100,000 (including GST)
- Application opened: 31 March 2025
- Application closed: 2 May 2025, 5:00 pm
Program objective
Sector Capability Grants are designed to support Aboriginal Community Housing Providers (ACHPs) with improving their business growth, sustainability, compliance and supporting tenants by providing culturally appropriate and responsive housing to Aboriginal people across NSW.
ACHPs can apply for funding in relation to any of the following Program Objectives:
- Building on the foundations and momentum of the SFSC, AHO’s 10-year Housing Strategy – Sector Growth (Pillar 3) initiatives to improve housing outcomes.
- Advance community-led objectives and targets outlined in Closing the Gap or the sector nominated Top 10 Priorities.
- Demonstrate the NSW Government’s and AHO’s commitment to providing culturally appropriate support and improve tenant experience and outcomes.
- Support the Aboriginal housing sector to increase their capability and capacity, providing workforce development and increasing long-term viability.
- Support ACHPs to increase their capability and capacity to maintain dwellings across NSW in accordance with the AHO Asset Management Framework.
- Assist with registering and maintaining the registration of ACHPs to ensure they meet the requirements to provide housing services in accordance with the NRSCH / NSWLS Performance outcomes, AHO Provider Performance Framework and individual Management Agreements.
- Assist with issues relating to ACHP performance and compliance in accordance with the AHO Provider Performance Framework (including Asset Management Framework).
This program is administered by Homes NSW.
This program is funded by Aboriginal Housing Office.
This program is administered by Department of Communities and Justice.
Eligibility
Who can apply
ACHPs must meet the eligibility criteria and the project criteria for expenditure to be considered eligible, including they must:
- be an ACHP
- be located in NSW
- be registered under the NRSCH or NSWLS; or
- scheduled to undertake or currently undertaking registration.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The following are examples of the type of activities that may be considered for funding where they are aligned with the program objectives:
- Community and Tenant Engagement
- Tenant engagement and education
- Sustainable housing outcomes
- Financial and Strategic Planning
- Financial modelling
- Consultancy to support business strategy development
- Workforce Development and Capacity Building
- Recruitment
- Professional development
- Technology and Systems Enhancement
- Access to hardware and software
- Tenancy management systems and processes
- Operational and Organisational Development
- Operational resources
- Organisational infrastructure development
- Consultancy to support funding applications
- Legal and Compliance Support
- Legal advice and / or support
- Consultancy to support registration and / or continued compliance
Who can’t apply
- Aboriginal Community Housing Organisation's (ACHOs)
- AHO Transitional Registered providers
Types of projects not funded under this grant
- Ongoing costs of the purchased goods and services
- Contingency funds
- Unexpected or emergency expenses
- Vehicle Operating Costs
- Petrol
- Insurances
- Other ongoing transportation related expenses
- Property Repairs and Maintenace
Additional eligibility requirements
- Submission of a completed Application Form.
- Must be located in NSW.
- Must be an ACHP;
- Must be registered under the NRSCH or NSWLS; or
- Scheduled to undertake; or
- Is currently undertaking NRSCH / NSWLS Registration.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Before submitting your application, you will need to collate the following essential support material:
- Upload all supporting documentation as part of your application.
- Quotes to support the activities / detailed budget aligned with the project activities.
- Is within the allocated budget amount i.e., if the request is for $40k, 70k etc., then the application / quotes need to add to that amount.
- It is ideal to add timeline / dates of when expected outcomes are to be completed.
- Budget is reasonable, realistic and value for money.
- If application is to address NRSCH recommendations, should attach recommendations from RCH.
- Clearly outlines how the activities will benefit and have positive outcomes for the provider / tenants.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Applications are assed by:
- Applicants must be a registered ACHP for the duration of the project.
- Must be registered under or NSWLS; or Currently scheduled to undertake; or are currently undertaking NRSCH/ NSWLS Registration.
- Located in NSW.
- Must meet requirements of Sector Capability Grant Funding Objectives
Quality and Detail
- The activity request aligns with the project aims and objectives of improving business growth, sustainability, compliance and supporting tenants.
- Project activities clearly demonstrate they address specific project objectives.
- Detailed description of activities.
- Rationale for need.
Benefits and Measures of Success
- Clearly outlines how the activity will benefit and have positive outcomes for the provider / tenants.
- Clearly outlines the desired outcomes.
Cultural Impact
- Outlines how the grant will benefit tenants and / or the community.
Budget
- Is within the allocated budget amount selected.
- Budget is reasonable and realistic.
- Quotes to support the activities / detailed budget aligned with the project activities.
- Value for money.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The Evaluation Committee
Indicative Timetable
An indicative timetable for the Grant Application process is as follows:
Grant Applications close: 2 May 2025 5:00 p.m.
Successful applicants notified: by 23 June 2025
Funding Agreements signed and returned: by 4 July 2025
Disclaimer, this timeline is subject to change.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 23/06/2024
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 04/07/2025