Community Housing Provider(CHP) Direct Dealing Policy

Following the ACHIA NSW 2024 Aboriginal Housing Caucus, Homes NSW has provided further informationregarding the Community Housing Provider (CHP) Direct Dealing Policy.
The CHP Direct Dealing Policy provides a mechanism for Aboriginal Community Housing Providers (ACHPs) to put forward unique proposals to grow or renew social and affordable housing, including to:

• sell or acquire property; or
• contribute land or capital towards a housing development project in exchange for dwellings to be returned to Homes NSW.

To support ACHPs to develop and submit proposals under the CHP Direct Dealing Policy, Homes NSW will engage in pre-submission and ongoing discussions with ACHPs to provide feedback to ensure proposals are well-aligned to the five (5) evaluation criteria, including:

• uniqueness
• value for money
• strategic impact
• capability and capacity
• risk

Homes NSW has provided several data sources for ACHPs to leverage as part of developing innovative ideas and concepts – please see the following.

• The NSW Social Housing Assistance Commissioning Data report is published in April each year. It is publicly available data which can be used for service delivery planning, specifically:
  • an estimate of the number of households meeting income-based eligibility requirements in the broader population (i.e. unexpressed demand). See page 18.
    data insights and focus on Aboriginal households. See from page 50.
  • tabs 1.0.1a through to 1.6.1a of the accompanying appendix detail demand data down to allocation zone level for Aboriginal households on the Register. There are breakdowns by category, provider preference, household type, age and gender, bedroom requirements, accessible and senior household needs.

The NSW Social Housing Assistance Commissioning Data Report can be found here:
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/resources/publications/nsw-social-housing-assistance-commissioning-data-report.

• For housing providers considering new supply funding opportunities or planning their own initiatives, the New Supply Data Supplement provides urgent demand data disaggregated by Aboriginality, minimum bedroom requirements, accessible housing need and specific program criteria such as the HousingAustralia Future Fund’s domestic and family violence target. Further, it also includes a StateEnvironmental Planning Policy (SEPP) based analysis so that providers can estimate how much of the demand could be serviced under the SEPP (which can deliver higher yields).

The New Supply Data Supplement is available annually once a Non-Disclosure Agreement is signed by your CEO (or equivalent position). To access the supplement please email commissioning.data@homes.nsw.gov.au or Bronwyn Bate at Bronwyn.Bate@homes.nsw.gov.au.

To have a more detailed discussion about the CHP Direct Dealing Policy, including how your ACHP can develop and submit a proposal, you can contact Dr. Lucy Burgmann, Acting Director, Strategy, Homes NSW on
0419 258928 or at lucy.burgmann@homes.nsw.gov.au.

NSW CAPO Priority Reform 4
Aboriginal Data Sovereignty

Following on from the ACHIA NSW 2024 Aboriginal Housing Caucus you can access further informationregarding the NSW CAPO Priority Reform 4 work on Aboriginal Data Sovereignty, including the
First Round: Preliminary Community Engagement Report and a Digital Resource Toolkit at https://linktr.ee/aboriginaldatasovereignty.

Additionally, please see following the details of upcoming community workshops being facilitated by NSW CAPO in line with their work on Priority Reform 4 under the National Agreement for Closing the Gap. All event and registration details can be found here: ADS&G COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS | SEPT, OCT & NOV 2024 |Eventbrite

• Lightning Ridge – Wednesday, October 9 • 10:00 AM
• Walgett – Thursday, October 10 • 10:00 AM
• Bourke – Friday, October 11 • 10:00 AM
• Griffith – Tuesday, October 15 • 10:00 AM
• Deniliquin – Wednesday, October 16 • 10:00 AM
• Wagga Wagga – Thursday, October 17 • 10:00 AM
• Albury – Friday, October 18 • 10:00 AM
• Orange – Tuesday, October 29 • 10:00 AM
• Nyngan – Wednesday, October 30 • 10:00 AM
• Cowra – Thursday, October 31 • 10:00 AM
• Dubbo – Friday, November 1 • 10:00 AM
• Tamworth – Monday, November 4 • 10:00 AM
• Moree – Tuesday, November 5 • 10:00 AM
• Toomelah – Wednesday, November 6 • 10:00 AM
• La Perouse – Thursday, November 7 • 10:00 AM
• Redfern – Friday, November 8 • 10:00 AM
• Wilcannia – Monday, November 11 • 10:00 AM
• Menindee – Tuesday, November 12 • 10:00 AM
• Broken Hill – Wednesday, November 13 • 10:00 AM
• Newcastle – Thursday, November 14 • 10:00 AM
• Central Coast – Friday, November 15 • 10:00 AM
• Merimbula – Tuesday, November 26 • 10:00 AM
• Bateman’s Bay – Wednesday, November 27 • 10:00 AM
• Nowra – Thursday, November 28 • 10:00 AM
• Wollongong – Friday, November 29 • 10:00 AM

You might also like to consider how the NSW Data Connector Service can support your ACCO to access data relevant to your work and community.

The Data Connector Service is a joint program between the NSW Government and the NSW CAPO which intends to create a single point of contact in government for Aboriginal communities. This is where requests for access to government-held data can be made. The service aims to empower Aboriginal people through information.

Data Connectors, many of whom are Aboriginal, work across several government departments. There is also a central team, based in The Cabinet Office, that supports and oversees the service.
For more information, visit: NSW Data Connector Service for Aboriginal Communities | NSW Government.

Temporary Accommodation
Contribution and Support Plan

The NSW government is making changes to the way Temporary Accommodation (TA) is being accessed.
From Wednesday, 18 September 2024 clients in TA who are experiencing homelessness will be required to pay a TA contribution towards accommodation costs. While this is not new, the changes will standardise the contributions, irrespective of the housing provider or location. Of specific note:

• A new TA support plan will be implemented for all clients in TA. This will document exit pathways and housing options.
• The TA Contribution will now be made directly to Homes NSW rather than the accommodation provider.

For further information about the changes implemented regarding Temporary Accommodation, you can access aFact Sheet here https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/factsheets/temporary-accommodation.

ACHIA NSW will facilitate opportunities for ACHP feedback via upcoming CEO Forums. However, please don’t hesitate to contact Simon Wade, Director – Sector Development at Simon.W@achiansw.org.au to discuss feedback or concerns directly.

Upcoming Events
Core and Cluster Services

Domestic and Family Violence Response Training (DV-alert)

DV-alert provides training to help frontline workers who are not specifically focused on domestic and family violence. They will be equipped with knowledge and skills to help people who are experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence.
Learn how to:

• Recognise the signs of domestic and family violence.
• Respond confidently with appropriate care.
• Refer effectively to support services.

For more information about DV-alert, workshops, and courses Click Here.

National Aboriginal Child Safety and Domestic Violence Summit
25-27 September 2024, Adelaide

Theme: Creating a Space for Change.

The Summit aims to cultivate new and innovative responses to Aboriginal Family and Domestic Violence and Child Protection in Australia. It will bring together leaders from across Australia to showcase innovative thinking, culturally safe responses, and, importantly, best practices to create improved outcomes for Aboriginal women, children, men, families and the community.
For more information, Click Here.

Stop Domestic Violence Conference
25-27 November 2024

Theme: Stronger Together: Bridging Silos and Building Change.

The annual Stop Domestic Violence Conference will reflect on the current obstacles facing the community, brainstorm innovations and seek opportunities for change within the family, domestic and sexual violence sector.
For more information, Click Here.

ACHP Grant and Training Opportunities

Homelessness Innovation Fund 2024-2025 Grants Program

The NSW government’s 2024/25 Budget provides $527.6 million in extra funding over four years for frontline homelessness services as part of a record $6.6 billion investment to reduce homelessness and increase and improve social housing. This funding is an important first step in moving from a crisis-driven system to more preventative approaches, localised planning and expanding evidence-based practices.

Of this funding, $100 million has been allocated to establish a Homelessness Innovation Fund (HIF), with$30 million allocated in 2024/25.

The HIF will initially target reducing the current demand and costs of temporary accommodation and proposing service reform and innovation.
Under the HIF, organisations can apply for a one-off grant, intended to have a wide entry gate. Some proposals may be funded by the HIF or through any other appropriately suited paths available to Homes NSW (e.g., directdealing).

There are two Grant Programs for the HIF in 2024/25:

• Reforming Temporary Accommodation
• Service Reform and Innovation

The maximum amount to be considered is up to $500,000 per application unless there are exceptional circumstances. The available funding is limited and intends to achieve a statewide impact rather than be absorbed through a limited number of larger funding amounts.

Funding priorities for the 2025/26 and beyond HIF will be announced later in 2024/25.

Applications are open from 11 September 2024 until 30 April 2025, and organisations can apply at any time.

You can use the relevant link below to access the complete Program Guidelines. Alternatively, for more information, you can contact grantdesignandsupport@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Reforming Temporary Accommodation Grant Program Guidelines: Click Here

Service Reform and Innovation Grant Programs Guidelines: Click Here

AHO Sector Capability Grants

Sector Capability Grants are designed to support Aboriginal Community Housing Providers business growth and self-sustainability, including achieving or maintaining NRSCH and NSWLS registration compliance. These grants provide an opportunity for the Aboriginal housing sector to increase their capacity and capability. There are two funding categories which offer different amounts of funding.

Grants from $50,000, up to $100,000 are available dependent on the grant category.

Applications Close: Friday, 27 September.
For more information, visit Sector Capability Grants | Aboriginal Housing Office (nsw.gov.au). Alternatively, you can contact the AHO Sector Development Team at sectordevelopment@aho.nsw.gov.au.

Zavanti Housing Webinar – 1 Hour System Overview
11 October 2024, Online

Zavanti Housing is a MS Dynamics 365-based, Australian-made, supported and hosted cloud-based and purpose-built community housing software system that is taking the sector by storm.

Zavanti Housing is a fully integrated, mobile-capable, end-to-end system powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365 spanning:

1. tenancy management
2. property management
3. contractor management
4. document management
5. workflows and checklists

For more information and to register your attendance, visit (1) Zavanti Housing Webinar – 1 Hour systemoverview – 11/10/24 | LinkedIn

Planning for Non-Planners Course
15 October 2024

This course is ideal for anyone who needs an understanding of their state’s land use planning systems and theimplications for urban development.

This course will help you understand:

• The planning system for your state
• How the regulatory frameworks operate
• How development applications work.

Over one day you will cover:

• Importance of planning
• Structure and interaction of various federal, state and local government planning documents
• Planning permit applications, processes and timeframes
• Planning scheme amendment processes and timeframes
• Development assessment applications, processes and timeframes
• Community involvement in planning
• Impact of planning on project feasibility.

This course is ideal for:

• Local and state government representatives
• Real estate agents
• Development managers
• Financiers
• Consultants
• Engineers
• Insurance agents

Those who interact with the property industry, but do not have an in-depth understanding of the planning system.
Registrations Close: Monday, 7 October 2024.
For more information, visit https://www.propertycouncil.com.au/event/planning-for-non-pl…

2024 Caucus
Member Reimbursement Form

ACHIA NSW Members who attended the ACHIA NSW 2024 Aboriginal Housing Caucus in Tamworth can now submit reimbursement forms for travel and accommodation expenses incurred to attend.
Please see the link below and return all completed documentation to admin@achiansw.org.au.
ACHIA NSW Members P&P Suite – 2024 Caucus Reimbursement Form – FINAL – 20 June 2024.pdf