Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program Guidelines

The Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program (the Pathways program) provides funding to external organisations to bolster sector capacity, collaboration, and innovation in supporting Brisbane residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness to achieve sustainable tenancies.

Applications are currently closed.

Learn about the Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program:

• Introduction
• Objectives
• Round dates
• Eligible applications
• What can be funded?
• Funding available
• Financial arrangements
• Assessment process
• Application process
• Assessment and outcomes
• Enquiries
• Glossary.

Introduction

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, homelessness in Brisbane has increased by 32% between 2011 and 2016, to 5,813 people. Homelessness can profoundly affect a person’s mental and physical health, their relationships, education and employment opportunities and their ability to fully participate in society.

Brisbane City Council (Council) recognises that while the Queensland Government is primarily responsible for the provision of housing through the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027, Brisbane’s homelessness support sector faces significant challenges, particularly the sustainability of tenancies for vulnerable residents.

The Pathways program provides multi-year funding for up to three years to successful applicants to reduce the experience of or risk of homelessness.

Objectives

The Pathways Program objectives are to bolster sector capacity, collaboration, innovation and demonstrated outcomes in supporting Brisbane residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness to achieve sustainable tenancies.

Round dates

Applications for this grant opened on 25 January 2023 and closed on 15 March 2023. 

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in mid-May 2023.

Eligible applications

Applicants must:

• deliver all services funded by this grant program in the Brisbane LGA
• be a not-for-profit organisation, or be auspiced by a not-for-profit organisation that is registered or is eligible for registration under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth)
• be a service provider delivering community services or be a social enterprise
• have as one of its primary objectives, the purpose of reducing the experience of or risk of homelessness to individuals and families
• have met all acquittal conditions of previous Council grants, have no debt to Council and be financially viable
• have public liability insurance cover to a minimum value of $20 million and have appropriate workplace health and safety policies in accordance with the Funding Agreement.

If an applicant states in their application that they are being auspiced by an Auspice Organisation, a letter from the Auspice Organisation must be provided, signed by the chair, president, or chief executive officer (or equivalent) of the organisation, agreeing to auspice the proposal.

Ineligible applications

Applications will be deemed ineligible if identified as:

• incomplete or submitted after the closing date and time
• for political organisations
• for an individual(s)
• for for-profit organisations
• for Queensland or Australian Government departments
• for government educational institutions
• for applicants who have previously been successful in obtaining Council grants but have outstanding acquittals or debts.

The following will NOT be funded:

• general operating expenses such as electricity, telephone, uniforms and rent that are part of the applicant’s ongoing expenses
• primarily commercial or fundraising ventures
• general public liability costs for the applicant (public liability costs that are specific to the project are eligible)
• debt payments
• sponsorship, prizes, award ceremonies, fundraisers or competitions
• hospitality, i.e. food and alcohol costs for events
• travel costs and allowances (except where directly for clients exiting homelessness)
• services that duplicate other existing services
• donations to individuals or organisations
• retrospective funding, i.e. where the applicant has committed to expenditure prior to the notification date
• proposals that do not meet Pathways objectives
• staff training except where directly related to other project activities that meet client needs
• media and marketing activities
• on-street activities (i.e. food, clothing, washing) that do not reduce the prevalence of homelessness
• rent or accommodation costs for clients
• capital costs associated with the construction or maintenance of social housing.
• Community events such as festivals, fetes and Christmas and New Year events. If seeking Council funding towards such activities, apply for either the Festivals and Cultural Events Sponsorships or the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund.

Organisations can only make one application to the Pathways out of Homelessness Grant per round. This does not apply where the organisation is acting as an auspice.

What can be funded?

Applicants may apply for up to a total of $450,000 payable as agreed milestone outcomes over three years.

Pathways will support investment in responding to issues of homelessness by funding expenses attributable to:

• project and activity delivery, including direct staff costs for the project; and
• materials, services and programs that create sustainable pathways out of homelessness (including activities related to certified training and employment; self-care and living skills; social connections; activities that improve physical, emotional and mental health; services supporting management of tenancies and accommodation; equipment that helps sustain tenancies; and outreach services).
• Enhancements to existing programs or new projects from organisations funded by Council and specifically through the Pathways out of Homelessness grant are permissible.

This is not an exhaustive list and applicants are encouraged to contact an officer from Safe Communities, Connected Communities, Lifestyle and Community Services, to discuss their application and eligibility.

Funding available

For the Pathways out of Homelessness Grant you can apply for grant funding up to a total of $450,000 payable as agreed milestone outcomes, for up to three years.

Multi-year funding will be conditional on ongoing compliance with funding conditions and evidence of the delivery of agreed milestone outcomes, verified through an annual acquittal report. Evaluation costs must be included as part of the application to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Pathways Program sustaining tenancies for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Additionally, clear partnerships should be identified, along with how your Project outcomes will be sustained once the grant funding is expended (which may include additional funding sources, partnerships and/or delivery models).

Financial arrangements

Payments

If applicants are successful in obtaining a grant, they must sign the Funding Agreement and return it to Council. This step must be completed before any funding will be provided by Council under these guidelines.

GST

If an organisation or Auspice Organisation (where applicable) is GST registered, 10% GST will be added to the grant as an itemised GST gross-up.

If an organisation or Auspice Organisation (where applicable) is not GST registered, 10% GST will be added to the grant but will not be itemised as GST.

For advice on GST, please contact your tax advisor or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 24 78 or via the Australian Taxation Office website.

Assessment process

Applications are encouraged from organisations that can demonstrate how the funding supports the delivery of new initiatives or enhancements to existing Pathways funded programs that deliver on the Pathways program objectives. Applications must articulate the activities that will be funded and how they will contribute to assisting individuals with pathways out of homelessness.

Provided the eligibility criteria for making a grant application under these guidelines are satisfied, the project will be assessed against the following assessment criteria.

Following the initial assessment by Council officers, recommendations will be provided to the Comparative Assessment Committee for review before presentation to Council's delegate. Council will not redress errors in applications.  If an application is deemed ineligible, it will not be assessed. Council’s delegate makes the final decision regarding funding allocation.

Eligible applications are considered on merit against the assessment criteria so not all eligible applications will be awarded funding.

The Pathways program is a competitive assessment process. Not every eligible application that meets the assessment criteria will receive funding. In some instances, successful applicants may not receive the full amount of the funding requested. If your proposal cannot proceed without the funding requested, this should be indicated in your application.

Application process

All applications are submitted via the online application system SmartyGrants.

Making an application

Before commencing an application, please contact Council on 07 3430 8888 to discuss the application with an officer from Safe Communities, Connected Communities, Lifestyle and Community Services.

The online SmartyGrants application system will allow applicants to save, develop and print out applications before they are submitted. Supporting material can be attached to the online application.

A budget table is required to support the application. This is a critical aspect of the submission. Before you apply, it is highly recommended you review a budget table example to assist you with developing your budget.

Once an application is submitted through SmartyGrants, applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of the application. The submitted application will be kept confidential, and the contents will not be disclosed to any person outside the application and Assessment Process.

Planning an application

Before commencing an application, review and consider the assessment criteria (set out in the assessment process table). Applications must include:

• a compelling rationale, including evidence of need for your identified target group
• a description of the proposed activities and proposed outcomes and benefits, including how you will measure/ evaluate your project’s outcomes and impact on homelessness in Brisbane
• a description of the applicant’s current capacity and operations (e.g., business structure, hours of operation, nature of work)
• evidence of planning and delivery mechanisms, including timelines and proposed personnel
• a detailed budget accompanied by quotes or costings, previous expenses, any in-kind contributions, or in-kind support.
• details of how program outcomes will be sustained once the grant funding has been expended
• letters of confirmation from any external providers or partnering organisations named in the proposal
• confirmation of commitment to the proposal from the board, executive or senior management of the applicant or its auspice not-for-profit organisation.

Assessment and outcomes

You will receive a letter advising whether your application was successful or unsuccessful.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in mid-May 2023

The list of successful applicants will be published on Council’s website.

Successful applicants

If an applicant is successful in obtaining a grant, they must sign the Funding Agreement and return it to Council. This step must be completed before any funding will be provided to the successful applicant by Council under these guidelines.

Applicants must: 

• ensure that the project continues to comply with these guidelines
• deliver the approved project in accordance with the contents of the submitted applications approved by Council for the provision of a grant
• comply with the terms and conditions in the Funding Agreement (including any applicable special conditions) 
• fully acquit the grant to Council in accordance with the terms and conditions in the Funding Agreement.

Unsuccessful applicants

Unsuccessful applicants can seek feedback on their application by contacting a Council Grants Officer.

Applicants may wish to consider submitting the application to another grants program.

Brisbane City Council provides a free service which allows Brisbane community organisations and businesses to search for funding opportunities with Funding Finder.

Both the Queensland and Australian Governments have websites that list available grants:

• Queensland Government 'Find a Grant'
• Australian Government 'Community Grants Hub'
• Our Community publishes a quarterly list of grants Australia-wide.

Acquittal

The successful applicant must fully acquit the grant to Council in accordance with the terms and conditions in the Funding Agreement.

This document must detail the outcomes of the project and how the funds were spent. It must demonstrate that funding has been used for the purpose for which it was provided, include a report of financial transactions, and provide evidence that the project achieved its intended objectives.

Successful applicants will receive a link to the acquittal form that will be attached to their application in SmartyGrants.

Enquiries

Further information is available by contacting Council 07 3403 8888 and asking to speak with an officer from Safe Communities, Connected Communities, Lifestyle and Community Services or send us an email.

If applicants have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service:

• TTY users phone 133 677 and then ask for 07 3403 8888
• Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 and then ask for 07 3403 8888
• internet relay users connect to the NRS (www.relayservice.com.au) and then ask for 07 3403 8888.

If applicants require this information in other languages, phone the Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask to be connected to Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.

All enquiry services are free.