Automatic language translation
Our website uses an automatic service to translate our content into different languages. These translations should be used as a guide only. See our Accessibility page for further information.
Three programs are being tendered through the one procurement process as follows.
Funding of $27 million over financial years 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 is being tendered. The key objective is to deliver social housing. There is no specific target group.
CHIF-DFV is a part of the Attorney-General announced a Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) funding package of $484.3 million that includes building around 75 new crisis women’s refuges as well as developing or acquiring up to 200 properties.
Funding of $19.5 million over financial years 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 is being tendered. The key objective is to deliver social housing dwellings for women and children experiencing DFV.
The Together Home Transition Program supports the exit of Together Home Program clients into fit-for-purpose longer-term social housing, thereby safeguarding previous Government investment in the Program.
Funding of $10 million for the financial year 2023/24 is being tendered.
Only CHPs delivering the Together Home Program are eligible to apply.
The Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF) Programs comprise $225 million to deliver more social and affordable housing in collaboration with Community Housing Providers (CHPs) across NSW.
The four objectives of CHIF approach are to:
The CHIF is based on a co-contribution model where Government funds are combined with CHPs’ contributions of capital, debt, land, tax concessions, philanthropy, etc. to increase housing supply. CHPs also bring their community networks, partnerships and local connections that can support tenants who will eventually live in these properties.
The CHIF Grant must be used for the social housing proportion of a project. A CHP’s co-contribution can be used for delivering affordable housing to enhance the project’s financial viability as well as to support integrated communities in a project.
Tenderers must contribute financial resources (equity, debt, land) and may also commit non-financial resources (concession values, and donations) to the project.
Yes. CHIF social housing funding is targeted for three groups:
(See Community Housing Innovation Fund Programs)
Grant funding limits are set between $500,000 and $5,000,000 to encourage a range of CHPs to apply. DCJ reserves the right to vary the limits up or down to ensure the program objectives are achieved.
The CHP will own the property and will be responsible for all expenses – including, but not limited to responsive and planned maintenance, structural works, insurance, rates, etc.
DCJ will register an Interest on the title (See Properties and Land section) with any future dealings to be agreed by DCJ. You should get independent legal advice to check if there are any impediments to DCJ registering an Interest on land your organisation owns.
A Tenderer can submit a maximum of three projects using the following variations and indicating the financial year the funds will be needed:
A Tenderer can submit a project that is not “shovel ready” and due to commence in the future financial years i.e. 2023/24 and 2024/25. Evidence should be provided that the project will come to fruition (e.g. DA lodged, site ownership secured, debt facility in place, planning / activities commenced, etc.)
All Community Housing Providers registered in NSW can apply in line with the Community Housing Providers (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012.
Tier 3 CHP’s are encouraged to apply and must demonstrate experience or have the capacity to manage and deliver a construction / acquisition at the required scale. DCJ wishes to encourage Aboriginal Community Housing Providers to apply as per Priority Reform Two – Building the Community-Controlled Sector of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Yes and you will need to provide the following information:
Funds will only be released to registered CHP at the time of signing a Community Housing Assistance Agreement.
Yes. Partnership details will be required in the tender and in the CHAA.
A Community Housing Assistance Agreement (CHAA) is the standard contract used by DCJ and a CHP for programs such as this. It is not subject to amendment unless there are specific and valid reasons. A CHAA template can be found at https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/reforms/future-directions/partner-with-the-nsw-government/community-housing-innovation-fund-chif
The asset needs to be owned by the CHP. A key driver of the CHIF is to maximise the CHP’s financial contribution to deliver housing now and in the future as well as increase CHP’s ownership of capital stock.
Yes. If the CHP decides to sell or re-develop, i.e. to deal with a property, it must advise DCJ and seek approval. DCJ cannot unreasonably withhold consent. DCJ’s interest will be recorded on the next property.
In brief, in order to protect the Government’s investment in the property, a reference is made to DCJ’s interest on the title of the property. It means that the CHP must consult with DCJ if it wants to deal in the property. A dealing could be selling it, taking out a mortgage, redeveloping it.
This operates as a gateway consent provision (that is - it is neither a mortgage nor a caveat) and the Housing Agency cannot unreasonably withhold consent – as set out in section 18.2 of the Community Housing Providers (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012.
Effectively this means a notation is put on the relevant title which simply states:
“Land is held subject to the provisions of section 18 Community Housing Providers (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012. Consent of the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice is required for plans and dealings inconsistent with the interests of the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice."
Tenderers are strongly encouraged to seek their own legal advice to check if there are any impediments to DCJ registering an Interest on land your organisation owns.
A grant will be paid in lump sum at an agreed timeline. Tenderers must specify the financial year that they will need the funds.
The contributions to the project value are reflected as a percentage in the contract:
The following items contribute to the CHP’s ownership percentage of the project.
Equity |
Cash |
Land value |
The land must be owned by the CHP by the time of submitting response to RFT attaching the latest valuation |
Debt |
Actual or potential loan |
Tax concessions |
If the CHP is a charity, it may be eligible for tax concessions, reductions in council fees, etc. |
Philanthropic resources / donations |
Includes pro-bono legal, architect, developer fees that the CHP would have paid for but have been donated, waived or reduced. Accurate and realistic costings are required. |
Tenderers are strongly encouraged to investigate their eligibility for tax concessions.
No. DCJ funding can only be used for the acquisition and/or development of social housing dwellings proposed under the project.
CHIF funds may be granted if they are adding extra properties to the site. Funds cannot be used to fund additional costs for an existing project. The tender will ask you to explain how the additional funds will work.
Advance Notice allows your organisation to start planning for the future tender opening date. It gives you time consider your project plans, work out your financial arrangements, do initial research on sites and their potential usage and talk to possible partners.
The period is from the date of announcement to the date of the Industry Briefing currently planned for the end of January 2023.
No. Due to probity limitations, DCJ will not respond to any questions until the RFT is opened in January 2023. This FAQ is intended to answer as many questions as possible. However, you may send questions to CHB_Contracts_Unit@facs.nsw.gov.au which will be collated and used to inform the Industry Briefing if needed.
The RFT will commence with an Industry Briefing at the end of January / beginning of February 2023. The tender will run for around 25 business days. DCJ will be advertising the tender as widely as possible to allow people to register for the Industry Briefing.
An Industry Briefing provides specific information on the RFT and allows participants to ask general questions. Specific questions about a particular project idea will not be answered. These types of questions can be lodged in the data room for a response from DCJ.
A data room is an on-line secure location where tender documentation will be placed, questions of a general or specific nature can be asked and answered, and where all final tenders are lodged. You will be given access via a registration process in late January 2023.
20 Feb 2024