The Ballarat Foundation announced that $150,000 will be distributed to two different programs over the next two years via the Ballarat Innovation Grant.
The Ballarat Innovation Grant aims to support new and innovative programs. The two programs to receive funding are:
- Community Care Centre Ballarat (CCCB): $50,000 to provide household items to people and families in need.
- Ballarat Zero Project (BZP): $100,000 to help reduce rough sleeping.
Community Care Centre Ballarat
The Community Care Centre Ballarat (CCCB), supported by the Rotary clubs of Ballarat, helps people in need by providing good quality second hand furniture, electrical appliances, and whitegoods.
This assistance is for people who are facing urgent needs due to trauma or loss, those who need to move, or those who cannot afford basic living essentials like furniture and household items.
Above: Wayne Weaire, Ballarat Foundation Chair and Warren Payne, Community Care Centre Ballarat Acting Chair, at the warehouse facility.
Ballarat Zero Project
This is a three-year trial to help end rough sleeping in central Ballarat. It was created by the Central Highlands Homelessness Alliance and partners who want to stop homelessness in the area. The project is backed by the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness (AAEH) and follows a proven method to end homelessness, starting with people living on the streets.
The project will track progress in reducing homelessness in central Ballarat by August 2027. The goal is to reach "functional zero" homelessness, where the housing system has enough resources to quickly help anyone who needs it, making rough sleeping rare and short-term. If it works, the project could be expanded to other areas.