Housing and Community Services
2015-2016
Tenant Participation Grants
Program
Guidelines
Applications close 5pm Tuesday 3 November 2015
Please read these guidelines carefully before completing your application online
Page 2 of 9
Contents
1
Introduction................................................................................................................................. 3
2
Aim .............................................................................................................................................. 3
3
Priority Areas ............................................................................................................................... 3
3.1
Social Inclusion of ACT Government Housing and Community Housing Tenants .............. 3
3.2
Support Workforce .............................................................................................................. 3
4
Funding Categories ...................................................................................................................... 4
4.1
Social Inclusion .................................................................................................................... 4
4.2
Supporting Employment ..................................................................................................... 4
5
Available Funding ........................................................................................................................ 4
6
Eligibility Requirements............................................................................................................... 5
6.1
Individual Eligibility Requirements ...................................................................................... 5
6.2
Project Eligibility Requirements ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
7
Exclusions on the use of Grant Funding ...................................................................................... 5
8
Assessment of Applications......................................................................................................... 6
9
Accepting a Grant ........................................................................................................................ 6
9.1
Grant Requirements ............................................................................................................ 6
9.2
Acquittal Requirements....................................................................................................... 7
10
Important Information for Applicants ..................................................................................... 7
10.1
Accessibility ......................................................................................................................... 7
10.2
When to submit your application ....................................................................................... 7
10.3
How to submit your application .......................................................................................... 7
3.
Addendum ............................................................................................................................... 9
4.
Complaints............................................................................................................................... 9
11
Further Information ................................................................................................................ 9
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program
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1
Introduction
Housing and Community Services is pleased to announce the availability of the
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program.
2
Aim
This Grant Program provides funding for activities that promote participation in the ACT
community. The primary aim of the Program is to encourage and support ACT Public
Housing and Community Housing tenants and their families to participate in a range of
sporting, arts, cultural, education, employment and training activities for physical, social
and personal development.
The Program does not aim to fund IT equipment, hardware or capital works.
3
Priority Areas
Applications that demonstrate an active focus on the following priority areas will be
viewed favourably.
3.1 Social Inclusion of ACT Public Housing and Community
Housing Tenants
Activities which assist ACT Public Housing and Community Housing tenants and their
families to participate in a range of sporting, arts and cultural activities.
3.2 Support Workforce
Activities which assist ACT Public Housing and Community Housing tenants access
programs and training that increase their ability to find work, reintegrate back into
employment, re-skill and ensure that they remain active and productive members in our
community.
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program
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4
Funding Categories
Eligible individuals may submit one (1) application in only one of the following two (2)
categories. Applicants should consider the main purpose of their activity and choose the
most suitable category.
4.1 Social Inclusion
This category supports ACT Public Housing and Community Housing tenants and their
families to participate in a range of sporting, arts and cultural activities.
Activities that will be considered for funding under this category will:
1.
Encourage participation in new and existing activities such as sporting, arts and
cultural activities in the ACT community.
2.
Provide support for registration fees, uniforms, materials and equipment required to
perform the activity.
4.2 Supporting Employment
This category supports ACT Public Housing and Community Housing tenants to participate
in education for employment and other training activities.
Activities that will be considered for funding under this category will:
1.
Support skills development for current or future employment to re-engage in the
workforce.
2.
Encourage further education and training.
3.
Support care for a child or children to enable attendance at education or training
activities.
5
Available Funding
A total amount of $35,000 (GST exclusive) is available in the 2015-16 funding round across
all funding categories.
Grants are one-off for the activities specified and are not intended as a recurring funding
source.
Individual applications are capped to a non-recurrent grant up to $400.00 (GST exclusive).
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program
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6
Eligibility Requirements
6.1 Individual Eligibility Requirements
Only individuals that meet the following eligibility requirements may apply:
1.
ACT Public Housing or Community Housing resident;
2.
have no overdue reporting obligations for any previous ACT Government grant
including: evaluations, acquittal reports and audited financial statements;
3.
proof of registration or intent to register in a sporting, arts or cultural program.
(Applicants will have three (3) months to accept the grant offer and provide proof of
registration);
4.
proof of registration or intent to register in a learning activity that may assist in
developing skills for current or future employment; (Applicants will have three (3)
months to accept the grant offer and provide proof of registration);
5.
proof of enrolment in childcare for attendance at education or training activities in
developing skills for current or future employment;
6.
Applicants who have not received a Tenant Participation Grant in the past two (2)
years; and
7.
only one application per eligible individual is allowed.
If you do not comply with the above eligibility requirements, your application will not be
assessed for funding.
7
Exclusions on the use of Grants Funding
Funding will exclude (but is not limited to):
1.
IT equipment and hardware;
2.
activities that do not contribute to the Aim of the Grants Program;
3.
activities where alternative sources of funding are more appropriate;
4.
activities that do not occur primarily within the Australian Capital Territory;
5.
salaries where the salary forms part of the individual’s usual responsibility;
6.
retrospective costs — activities or purchases which have already taken place or been
completed;
7.
commitments such as contracts, hire purchases or rental agreements for any goods
beyond the period funded;
8.
purchase or lease of real estate;
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program
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9.
festivals, parties and celebrations;
10.
prize money;
11.
travelling allowances, including overseas travelling; and
12.
activities which are deemed to be inappropriate and/or offensive.
8
Assessment of Applications
A Panel of Assessors (Panel) will review all applications and recommend eligibility and
priority within the available funds. The Panel will make their recommendation based on
the information provided in the application.
All eligible funding applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria:
1.
Proposal - whether the activity supports the funding priorities for 2015-16.
2.
Benefit - demonstrates a clear benefit for the individual for the activity.
3.
Priority Area – demonstrates how the activity meets one or more funding priorities.
4.
Funding – outlines the costs associated with your grant application, including (where
applicable) personal contributions or contributions from others.
5.
Activity Plan/Timetable – describes when the funding is required and the period the
activity is to cover.
Assessment decisions are usually notified within sixty (60) days of each funding
opportunity closing.
9
Accepting a Grant
9.1 Grant Requirements
1.
Successful applicants will be required to enter into an Agreement with the
ACT Government setting out the terms and conditions for which funding will be
provided, including acquittal requirements within the agreed timeframe; this
Agreement will be a Letter of Offer.
2.
The ACT Government does not carry any responsibility for the activity undertaken
funded by the Tenant Participation Grant.
3.
Funds may be spent only on items and activities specified in the agreed Letter of
Offer. Any unspent funds must be returned to the Community Services Directorate.
4.
If you wish to change your Grant in any way, you must first obtain written
permission from the Community Services Directorate Contact Officer.
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program
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5.
The names, project descriptions and funding amount of all successful applications
will be posted on the Community Services Directorate’s website following the
assessment process; by accepting a grant you agree to this requirement.
9.2 Acquittal Requirements
All successful applicants must expend the funds within the timeframes nominated in the
Letter of Offer; this is normally twelve months from receipt of funds or at the completion
of the activity, whichever is sooner.
An acquittal of the grant must be provided within thirty (30) days of the completion of the
grant activity, or by the date specified in the Letter of Offer. Any unexpended funds are to
be returned at the time of acquitting the grant. An acquittal form will be supplied to
successful applicants with their Letter of Offer.
We require you to keep ALL receipts and submit them with your acquittal form.
Please note: To be eligible for funding in future grants rounds, applicants must meet all
acquittal requirements.
10 Important Information for Applicants
10.1 Accessibility
The ACT Government is committed to making its information, services, events and
venues, accessible to as many people as possible.
If you have difficulty reading a standard printed document and would like to receive this
publication in an alternative format – such as large print or audio – please telephone
(02) 6205 0619.
If English is not your first language and you require the translating and interpreting
services – please telephone 131 450.
If you are deaf or hearing impaired and require the TTY typewriter service– please
telephone (02) 6205 0888.
10.2 When to submit your application
 Applications open Tuesday, 6 October 2015.
 Applications close 5pm (AEDST), Tuesday, 3 November 2015.
Applications received after 5pm (AEDST), Tuesday, 3 November 2015, will not be
accepted.
10.3 How to submit your application
All applications are preferred to be submitted online.
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program
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1. Online
Online via the online Tenant Participation Grants Application Form at
http://dhcs.smartygrants.com.au/2015-16_TPG
If you are having any difficulty in accessing the Application Form please contact the Tenant
Participation Grants Program Officer for assistance.
You will need to create a log-in to begin your application and you may begin anywhere in
the Application Form. Please ensure you save as you go. If an error occurs, please contact
the Program Officer on (02) 62056008 or, during business hours, on email
DHCSContractsandGrants@act.gov.au and quote your application number.
Navigating (moving through) the application form
On the right hand side of every screen, there is a box which links directly to every page of
the application. Click on any page to jump directly to that page. You can also click 'next
page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward
through the application.
Saving your draft application and returning
You can press 'save' at any point and log out. When you log back in, your draft application
will be saved and you can start where you left off.
Submitting your application
The submit button is on the final page. You will not be able to submit your application
until all the questions are completed.
Attachments and support documents
You may wish to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very
simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, on a zip drive,
or similar. If you are not able to upload a document, please contact the Program Officer
for support.
Completing an application in a group/team
A number of people can work on an application using the same log-in details provided that
only one person is working on the application at any given time. Ensure you save as you
go.
Once you have completed your application it must be submitted to the Program Officer.
NOTE: The Program Officer is unable to view your application until it is submitted.
ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE GRANT
APPLICATION.
If your application does not include all required documentation, such as quotes it may be
deemed ineligible. You can upload supporting documentation to your application on the
page after the declaration and privacy statement.
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program
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Smarty Grants provides an online help guide for applicants. This guide will explain the
essential steps you need to take to complete and submit your form. The help guide is
accessible at http://help.smartygrants.com.au/display/help/Help+Guide+for+Applicants
2. Hand Deliver:
Tenant Participation Grants
Contracts and Grants Unit
Community Services Directorate
Nature Conservation House
Gateway Services
153 Emu Bank
BELCONNEN ACT 2617
3. Addendum
Any additional information provided by the Community Services Directorate as part of this
grant program will be posted online on the website at www.communityservices.act.gov.au
In addition all applicants that have started or submitted an online application form will be
notified by email to the address that was registered with Smarty Grants.
4. Complaints
What you can expect
A complaint is defined as an expression of dissatisfaction in relation to the application
process and/or an unsuccessful application for a grant.
You or your representatives have the right to raise your concerns. This information
supports us to improve services and supports your right to ask questions about the grant
application process as well as decisions made in relation to an unsuccessful application.
You can expect to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
be treated respectfully, fairly and in confidence;
have your concerns dealt with as soon as possible;
be informed of progress; and
be told of the outcome.
11 Further Information
For more information please contact the Tenant Participation Grants Program Officer:
Ms Vicki McGrath
phone: (02) 620 56008
email: DHCSContractsandGrants@act.gov.au
2015-16 Tenant Participation Grants Program