From here you can access information about Community Initiatives.
This area is intended to highlight new initiatives, new strategies and new approaches taken by community groups and individuals. It is not intended to be a knowledge base of all programs operating at a community level.
However the relevance and completeness of the information in this area relies on the sector and community providing us with information you think is relevant. If you know of strategies or programs or significant community activities aimed at reducing homelessness or helping homeless people that should be available in this area, please contact us.
Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI)
Sacred Heart Mission is currently piloting a three-year project, Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI), which is aimed at tackling chronic homelessness.
The project aims to demonstrate that with the right investment it is possible to end a person’s chronic homelessness and that it makes economic sense.
J2SI draws on research as well as best practice in Australia and overseas which shows that a person can make a permanent transition out of homelessness through intensive, individually-tailored, long-term support that addresses the underlying causes of the person’s homeless as well as trauma experienced whilst homeless.
Mercy Foundation – Grants to End Homelessness
The Mercy Foundation ‘Grants to End Homelessness’ are available for initiatives, services, projects and research that will contribute to the goal of ending homelessness.
Projects that focus on chronic homelessness and women who experience chronic homelessness are currently priority areas for funding.
These will generally be larger grants (up to $50,000 for any one year) with grants likely to be averaging $20,000 – $30,000.
Applicants must be able to specify measurable outcomes from the initiative. Those outcomes will need to show that the project has contributed to ending chronic homelessness or contributed substantially to increasing knowledge about the pathways into and out of homelessness – thereby increasing our understanding of how to prevent and how to end homelessness.
OzHarvest
OzHarvest is a non-denominational charity that rescues excess food which would otherwise be discarded. This excess food is distributed to charities supporting the vulnerable in Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Adelaide.
Australia wide, OzHarvest delivers 333,000 meals per month, with a fleet of 12 vans.
Rooftop Foundation Inc.
The Rooftop Foundation Inc. is working with community groups such as Richmond Fellowship, Havelock Housing Association, Neighbourhood Watch, the Belconnen Soccer Club and Canberra businesses who share the same vision, to assist in reducing homelessness in the ACT and surrounding regions.
In association with these organisations, the Rooftop Foundation aims to raise funds to build more affordable homes to allow low to moderate income earners the opportunity to be housed, and to purchase their own home.