The NSW Government has announced the Social Housing Community Improvement Fund (SHCIF) www.facs.nsw.gov.au/reforms/social-housing-community-improvement-fund-shcif.

The SHCIF will provide $20 million in funding over the next three years to improve the liveability and amenity of social housing communities. The SHCIF aims to create better and stronger social housing communities by improving local amenities through the provision of one off grants to physically improve areas adjacent to social housing. One-off grants, of up to $50,000 per project, will be offered to undertake physical improvements in social housing. This includes improving community infrastructure/facilities such as meeting spaces, community gardens and common areas, improving social safety, increasing accessibility for older people or people with a disability and facilitating better integration between social housing and the surrounding community.

SHCIF applications can be made to improve any social housing community and will be assessed on merit against the program criteria.

Applications must be made online before 18 December 2015. To apply, visit the www.socialhousing.smartygrants.com.au/SHCIF2015