Partnership
Our aim at FutureSteps is to create long lasting and impactful partnerships with not-for-profits tackling the housing crisis. Here you will find the stories and projects FutureSteps has supported since its first grant to Platform Youth Services in 2019.
“The relationship with FutureSteps has brought together organisations who really want to achieve the same thing. It’s something that I am so proud of. And I really hope that everybody gets to see what can be achieved when like-minded businesses come together.”
Tracy Adams, CEO yourtown
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Our latest grant recipients
Latest grant recipients
Kids Under Cover (Greater Dandenong VIC)
Who they support – Vulnerable young people between 12 and 25 at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
What they do – Install relocatable studios into backyards and on available land and provide scholarships to support the young people in the housing. Studios are located close to critical amenities.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Support of their innovative Studio program, funding a 2-bedroom / one bathroom studio into the backyard of a DFFH house in the City of Casey. They are also sharing their extensive experience with other NFP partners who want to replicate their model in places like Brisbane and North Coast of NSW.
Burdekin Association (Inner West NSW)
Who they support – Vulnerable young people from the age of nine with a specific focus on out of home care.
What they do – Offer support services for young people, family services, youth housing including extensions for young people in out of home care, and aftercare.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Renovate a current house to double its capacity – creating two self-contained units and one additional bedroom. The house supports young people from out of home care through the transition to independent living by building greater living skills.
BackTrack Youth Works (Armidale NSW)
Who they support – Highly disadvantaged young people in regional areas.
What they do – Believe they have three jobs: keeping kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Renovate a farmhouse, outdoor space and amenities block on a recently donated working farm. The farm will be an immersive and psychologically safe setting where young people can access accommodation, develop vocational skills and qualifications, engage in practical work experience and paid work opportunities and benefits from wraparound youth work and wellbeing support. Young people from their BackTrack Works program will undertake the works.
Whitsunday Housing (Proserpine QLD) – Challenge Grant
Who they support – People on low incomes and/or those who are limited for other reasons in acquiring safe, secure and accessible long-term housing. This project will support women 55+.
What they do – Manage over 126 emergency, transitional and long-term housing properties into the Whitsunday Region.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Build and furnish tiny houses on land gifted by the Whitsunday Regional Council. The location is close to the Community Centre which will be used as a gateway to re-enter the workforce, to volunteer and to participate in upskilling. This will be the pilot program and they intend to build four houses per year.
Sheltered By Grace (Logan QLD) – Challenge Grant
Who they support – People over 25 impacted by homelessness.
What they do – Focus on the provision of supported accommodation and dedicated programs for men and women over the age of 25 suffering from trauma that has led to homelessness.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Co-locate a tiny house near their current shelter. For a single person or single parent with children escaping domestic violence. This is a pilot which they hope to replicate across their portfolio. The team are awaiting all final sign offs, and then they will be off and running.
Women’s Community Shelter (Western Sydney, NSW) – Challenge Grant
Who they support – Mix of families, single women, and women aged 50+.
What they do – Expertise in establishing and operating meanwhile use properties, they have a network of over nine shelters and 25 transitional properties.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Purchase of a block of units to produce at least seven 2 and 3-bedroom units for social or affordable housing.
The Good Samaritan Inn (Banyule VIC)
Who they support – Women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.
What they do – Support and assist women and children who have experienced family violence and homelessness. It currently provides crisis refuge accommodation in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Supporting a massive project converting a disused convent into ten self-contained apartments, which will house up to 35 people for periods up to 12 months. Residents will have access to a suite of internal and external support services and programs to build pathways to self-sufficiency through the EMPath. Program.
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Funded projects
2019 Projects
Platform Youth Services, Sydney NSW – Conversion of office space to housing for six students and two carers, leveraging their Education First model.
2020 Projects
Kids Under Cover, Hume VIC – Part of the Studio Program, creating new studios in backyards of established carers, to accommodate additional young people in their care. Over 600 have been created by KUC to date.
Taldumande Youth Services (Armidale NSW) – Conversion of garage into two-bedroom granny flat for youth at risk. This extended the capacity of a current property and is part of their Youth At Risk Accommodation Program.
Women’s Community Shelter, Sydney NSW – Pathways Home Program. Using a ‘meanwhile use’ model partnering with landholders to identify vacant property, and another project utilising vacant student accommodation.
Women’s Property Initiative, Melbourne VIC – Construction of 5-bedroom house for women and children experiencing family violence.
yourtown, Brisbane QLD – Construction of 4-bedroom dwelling for family violence support. Construction included apprenticeships for people experiencing disadvantage.
2021 Projects
Coast Shelter - Central Coast NSW – Garage conversion for women experiencing domestic and family violence.
Kids Under Cover, Darebin VIC – Village 21 program, creating a mini-village supporting six young people with support for up to three years, and including onsite mentors. Aim is to build independent living capacity and skills.
Lighthouse Foundation, Boronia VIC – Conversion of space into studio to house young homeless mums and babies.
Pathfinders, Armidale NSW – Conversion of a hotel complex to support 13 young people in their Supported Independent Living (SIL) Program.
Social Ventures Australia - Foyer Central Social Impact Bond investment (Sydney NSW) – The project provides a stable home with support services for young people who have exited out of home care whilst they engage in education and employment.
Women’s Community Shelter, Sydney NSW – Meanwhile Use program using vacant student accommodation through City West Housing's (CWH) Scape student housing development, housing women at risk of homelessness.
YWCA, Sydney NSW – Funding for the Pathways to Independence program, supporting increased case workload by over 50%, and supporting more than 30 senior women into housing. Program uses holistic case management, skills development and connection to appropriate housing options.
YWCA Housing, South Melbourne VIC – Lakehouse project supporting women 55+ experiencing or at risk of homelessness and supported by the Pathways to Independence program. Refurbishment of further 26 rooms, on top of the already 30 rooms, plus common areas, kitchens and laundries.
2022 Projects
ABIS Community Co-operative Society - Townsville QLD - Renovation of an existing unused property to create a useable home for multi-generational or multiple families. Includes opportunities for skilling through the project.
Creating Positive Futures - City of Logan QLD – Building people by building better homes. Training and employment of three apprentices to assist in the construction of social housing.
Good Samaritan Inn, Banyule VIC – Conversion of disused convent into 10 apartments for ~35 people, prioritising people experiencing domestic and family violence and indigenous people experiencing homelessness.
Head Start Homes, anywhere in NSW – Provision of a perpetual home loan guarantee, supporting people to move from social housing to their own home.
Lighthouse Foundation, Frankston VIC – Refurbishment of an existing property to create transitional housing for women and girls escaping forced marriage and supporting them to build skills and capacity for independent living.
Mission Australia, Meekatharra WA – Conversion of four units into apartments providing short term accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence and linking families with support services.
Peggy’s Place, Brisbane QLD – Infrastructure funding and in-kind support for 76-room conversion supporting women and children experiencing family violence, one of the largest types of facilities in Australia. Facility will also provide certified training and support the surrounding shelters.
Wesley Community Services, Ballina NSW – Extension of the Treehouse Farm facility supporting young people who have exited out of home care. Building scalable and interconnected living ‘pods’ with capacity to house up to four young people at any given time.
Women’s Community Shelter, Western Sydney, NSW (Challenge Grant) – Purchase of a block of units to support women and their children with an experience of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).
yourtown, Sydney NSW – Support to purchase a block of units for women and children at risk of homelessness and experiencing domestic and family violence, plus furniture purchase and room fitouts and garden refresh.
2023 Projects
Kids Under Cover, Greater Dandenong VIC - Building a 2-bedroom / one bathroom studio into the backyard of a DFFH house in the City of Casey.
Burdekin Association, Inner West NSW - Renovate a house supporting out of home young people to double its capacity, creating two self-contained units and one additional bedroom. The house supports young people from out of home care through the transition to independent living by building greater living skills.
BackTrack Youth Works, Armidale NSW - Renovate a farmhouse, outdoor space and amenities block on a recently donated working farm. The farm will be an immersive and psychologically safe setting where young people can access accommodation, develop vocational skills and qualifications, engage in practical work experience and paid work opportunities and benefits from wraparound youth work and wellbeing support. Young people from their BackTrack Works program will undertake the works.
Whitsunday Housing, Proserpine QLD (Challenge Grant) - Build and furnish tiny houses for women 55+ on land gifted by the Whitsunday Regional Council. The location is close to the Community Centre which will be used as a gateway to re-enter the workforce, to volunteer and to participate in upskilling. This will be the pilot program and they intend to build four houses per year.
Sheltered By Grace, Logan QLD (Challenge Grant) - Co-locate a tiny house with their current shelter. For a single person or single parent with children escaping domestic violence. This is a pilot which they hope to replicate across their portfolio. The team are awaiting all final sign offs, and then they will be off and running.
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Case studies
Take a more in-depth peek into some of our partnership projects.
“Kids Under Cover is truly grateful for the support from Lendlease’s FutureSteps. This partnership, combining a grant, furnishings and volunteers, will make a life-changing impact in the lives of young people who are supported by our programs.” Jo Swift, CEO Kids Under Cover
Latest grant recipients
Kids Under Cover (Greater Dandenong VIC)
Who they support – Vulnerable young people between 12 and 25 at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
What they do – Install relocatable studios into backyards and on available land and provide scholarships to support the young people in the housing. Studios are located close to critical amenities.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Support of their innovative Studio program, funding a 2-bedroom / one bathroom studio into the backyard of a DFFH house in the City of Casey. They are also sharing their extensive experience with other NFP partners who want to replicate their model in places like Brisbane and North Coast of NSW.
Burdekin Association (Inner West NSW)
Who they support – Vulnerable young people from the age of nine with a specific focus on out of home care.
What they do – Offer support services for young people, family services, youth housing including extensions for young people in out of home care, and aftercare.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Renovate a current house to double its capacity – creating two self-contained units and one additional bedroom. The house supports young people from out of home care through the transition to independent living by building greater living skills.
BackTrack Youth Works (Armidale NSW)
Who they support – Highly disadvantaged young people in regional areas.
What they do – Believe they have three jobs: keeping kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Renovate a farmhouse, outdoor space and amenities block on a recently donated working farm. The farm will be an immersive and psychologically safe setting where young people can access accommodation, develop vocational skills and qualifications, engage in practical work experience and paid work opportunities and benefits from wraparound youth work and wellbeing support. Young people from their BackTrack Works program will undertake the works.
Whitsunday Housing (Proserpine QLD) – Challenge Grant
Who they support – People on low incomes and/or those who are limited for other reasons in acquiring safe, secure and accessible long-term housing. This project will support women 55+.
What they do – Manage over 126 emergency, transitional and long-term housing properties into the Whitsunday Region.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Build and furnish tiny houses on land gifted by the Whitsunday Regional Council. The location is close to the Community Centre which will be used as a gateway to re-enter the workforce, to volunteer and to participate in upskilling. This will be the pilot program and they intend to build four houses per year.
Sheltered By Grace (Logan QLD) – Challenge Grant
Who they support – People over 25 impacted by homelessness.
What they do – Focus on the provision of supported accommodation and dedicated programs for men and women over the age of 25 suffering from trauma that has led to homelessness.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Co-locate a tiny house near their current shelter. For a single person or single parent with children escaping domestic violence. This is a pilot which they hope to replicate across their portfolio. The team are awaiting all final sign offs, and then they will be off and running.
Women’s Community Shelter (Western Sydney, NSW) – Challenge Grant
Who they support – Mix of families, single women, and women aged 50+.
What they do – Expertise in establishing and operating meanwhile use properties, they have a network of over nine shelters and 25 transitional properties.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Purchase of a block of units to produce at least seven 2 and 3-bedroom units for social or affordable housing.
The Good Samaritan Inn (Banyule VIC)
Who they support – Women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.
What they do – Support and assist women and children who have experienced family violence and homelessness. It currently provides crisis refuge accommodation in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
FutureSteps Grant funding – Supporting a massive project converting a disused convent into ten self-contained apartments, which will house up to 35 people for periods up to 12 months. Residents will have access to a suite of internal and external support services and programs to build pathways to self-sufficiency through the EMPath. Program.
2019 Projects
Platform Youth Services, Sydney NSW – Conversion of office space to housing for six students and two carers, leveraging their Education First model.
2020 Projects
Kids Under Cover, Hume VIC – Part of the Studio Program, creating new studios in backyards of established carers, to accommodate additional young people in their care. Over 600 have been created by KUC to date.
Taldumande Youth Services (Armidale NSW) – Conversion of garage into two-bedroom granny flat for youth at risk. This extended the capacity of a current property and is part of their Youth At Risk Accommodation Program.
Women’s Community Shelter, Sydney NSW – Pathways Home Program. Using a ‘meanwhile use’ model partnering with landholders to identify vacant property, and another project utilising vacant student accommodation.
Women’s Property Initiative, Melbourne VIC – Construction of 5-bedroom house for women and children experiencing family violence.
yourtown, Brisbane QLD – Construction of 4-bedroom dwelling for family violence support. Construction included apprenticeships for people experiencing disadvantage.
2021 Projects
Coast Shelter - Central Coast NSW – Garage conversion for women experiencing domestic and family violence.
Kids Under Cover, Darebin VIC – Village 21 program, creating a mini-village supporting six young people with support for up to three years, and including onsite mentors. Aim is to build independent living capacity and skills.
Lighthouse Foundation, Boronia VIC – Conversion of space into studio to house young homeless mums and babies.
Pathfinders, Armidale NSW – Conversion of a hotel complex to support 13 young people in their Supported Independent Living (SIL) Program.
Social Ventures Australia - Foyer Central Social Impact Bond investment (Sydney NSW) – The project provides a stable home with support services for young people who have exited out of home care whilst they engage in education and employment.
Women’s Community Shelter, Sydney NSW – Meanwhile Use program using vacant student accommodation through City West Housing's (CWH) Scape student housing development, housing women at risk of homelessness.
YWCA, Sydney NSW – Funding for the Pathways to Independence program, supporting increased case workload by over 50%, and supporting more than 30 senior women into housing. Program uses holistic case management, skills development and connection to appropriate housing options.
YWCA Housing, South Melbourne VIC – Lakehouse project supporting women 55+ experiencing or at risk of homelessness and supported by the Pathways to Independence program. Refurbishment of further 26 rooms, on top of the already 30 rooms, plus common areas, kitchens and laundries.
2022 Projects
ABIS Community Co-operative Society - Townsville QLD - Renovation of an existing unused property to create a useable home for multi-generational or multiple families. Includes opportunities for skilling through the project.
Creating Positive Futures - City of Logan QLD – Building people by building better homes. Training and employment of three apprentices to assist in the construction of social housing.
Good Samaritan Inn, Banyule VIC – Conversion of disused convent into 10 apartments for ~35 people, prioritising people experiencing domestic and family violence and indigenous people experiencing homelessness.
Head Start Homes, anywhere in NSW – Provision of a perpetual home loan guarantee, supporting people to move from social housing to their own home.
Lighthouse Foundation, Frankston VIC – Refurbishment of an existing property to create transitional housing for women and girls escaping forced marriage and supporting them to build skills and capacity for independent living.
Mission Australia, Meekatharra WA – Conversion of four units into apartments providing short term accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence and linking families with support services.
Peggy’s Place, Brisbane QLD – Infrastructure funding and in-kind support for 76-room conversion supporting women and children experiencing family violence, one of the largest types of facilities in Australia. Facility will also provide certified training and support the surrounding shelters.
Wesley Community Services, Ballina NSW – Extension of the Treehouse Farm facility supporting young people who have exited out of home care. Building scalable and interconnected living ‘pods’ with capacity to house up to four young people at any given time.
Women’s Community Shelter, Western Sydney, NSW (Challenge Grant) – Purchase of a block of units to support women and their children with an experience of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).
yourtown, Sydney NSW – Support to purchase a block of units for women and children at risk of homelessness and experiencing domestic and family violence, plus furniture purchase and room fitouts and garden refresh.
2023 Projects
Kids Under Cover, Greater Dandenong VIC - Building a 2-bedroom / one bathroom studio into the backyard of a DFFH house in the City of Casey.
Burdekin Association, Inner West NSW - Renovate a house supporting out of home young people to double its capacity, creating two self-contained units and one additional bedroom. The house supports young people from out of home care through the transition to independent living by building greater living skills.
BackTrack Youth Works, Armidale NSW - Renovate a farmhouse, outdoor space and amenities block on a recently donated working farm. The farm will be an immersive and psychologically safe setting where young people can access accommodation, develop vocational skills and qualifications, engage in practical work experience and paid work opportunities and benefits from wraparound youth work and wellbeing support. Young people from their BackTrack Works program will undertake the works.
Whitsunday Housing, Proserpine QLD (Challenge Grant) - Build and furnish tiny houses for women 55+ on land gifted by the Whitsunday Regional Council. The location is close to the Community Centre which will be used as a gateway to re-enter the workforce, to volunteer and to participate in upskilling. This will be the pilot program and they intend to build four houses per year.
Sheltered By Grace, Logan QLD (Challenge Grant) - Co-locate a tiny house with their current shelter. For a single person or single parent with children escaping domestic violence. This is a pilot which they hope to replicate across their portfolio. The team are awaiting all final sign offs, and then they will be off and running.
Take a more in-depth peek into some of our partnership projects.
“Kids Under Cover is truly grateful for the support from Lendlease’s FutureSteps. This partnership, combining a grant, furnishings and volunteers, will make a life-changing impact in the lives of young people who are supported by our programs.” Jo Swift, CEO Kids Under Cover
