2021-04-22
120 social housing tenants and their families will receive a one-off grant through the 2020-21 Tenant Participation Grants Program to participate in activities that promote social inclusion and connection within the community as well as education and development opportunities.
The number of applicants for this grants program has grown considerably in recent years, and this year received the largest number of applications to date. In response to the increase in applications, the ACT Government doubled the amount of funding available for this round.
For many individuals and businesses, COVID-19 has changed the way we go about our daily lives. To ensure more tenants could access a range of activities, this grants round was expanded to support and promote participation in activities undertaken online or through physical distancing requirements.
Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Yvette Berry, said this has been such an important program over the years to support tenants to participate in activities.
“It is great to announce that 229 people will receive support to help them get involved in the community and connect with others. This round, the funding was increased significantly with a total of $69,530 allocated across diverse households in both public and community housing.
“These grants make a real difference to individuals, helping them to do those extra activities, take a course to learn new skills, get amongst the community and make those connections with others,” Minister Berry said.
Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services, Rebecca Vassarotti said "Our tenants are fabulous people and actively contribute to communities all across Canberra. These grants are a celebration of the things that make them unique. It's about empowering people to do things that matter to them, so they can engage with their community."
The ACT Government’s role as a landlord is beyond the bricks and mortar of a house; supporting the individual so they can participate in their community and feel connected to their neighbourhood.”
Activities funded in this round that can be participated in online included education and learning such as music, CIT and self-development courses that support tenants to further develop their education and promote new skills that are valuable in both the community and workplace.
Other popular activities included driving and swimming lessons, gymnastics, self-defense and martial-arts, team sports registrations and equipment, and theatre and art activities.
Just over half of the 2020-21 grant recipients are children and young people aged up to 25 years old. A large number of grants are also being provided to culturally and linguistically diverse families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, older tenants and recipients with health conditions.
Up to $400 was available for individual tenants to apply for and as a result more households in need will have the opportunity to participate, connect and build valuable relationships with the community.