……. Photo: Blue Mountains Food Services
Across Australia, more older people are being pushed into housing insecurity and homelessness
For many, this isn’t the result of one single event. It’s the accumulation of rising rents, low vacancy rates, fixed incomes, poor health, relationship breakdowns, limited superannuation, social isolation, and increasingly complex systems that are difficult to navigate without support.
In communities across the country, older Australians are couch surfing, living in their cars, remaining in unsafe housing, or being forced to leave the communities they’ve called home for decades. Many are losing not just housing, but access to healthcare, local support networks, and the community connections that help people age safely and with dignity.
To help respond to this growing challenge, StreetSmart partnered with Australian Philanthropic Services Foundation and the Aged Persons Welfare Foundation to deliver a dedicated Ageing Well Grants Round, distributing $45,000 to nine grassroots organisations supporting older Australians across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
This partnership was designed to reach smaller, community-led organisations that are often overlooked by traditional funding streams but play a vital role in helping older Australians remain safe, connected and housed.
Many are deeply embedded in their communities, responding to local needs with practical support, housing assistance, advocacy and connection.
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What this means for ageing Australians in need of support
The grants round also highlights the importance of backing organisations that are deeply connected to their communities but may not always have access to traditional funding opportunities.
Evergreen Alliance is a newly established organisation with limited opportunities for government or philanthropic funding. StreetSmart’s partnership with APS was in many ways built to support organisations such as this. Through bilingual outreach and home visits, Evergreen Alliance is helping vulnerable seniors understand their rights, navigate services and access assistance before housing challenges escalate into crisis.
In the Blue Mountains, Blue Mountains Food Services is addressing the intersection of food insecurity and social isolation. Funding will help reduce meal costs and provide transport support for older residents, ensuring they can continue accessing a community meals program that offers both practical assistance and meaningful social connection.
……. Photo: Connect Victoria
In Bellingen and the Nambucca region of New South Wales, Housing Matters Action Group will continue to support older residents navigating increasingly inaccessible rental systems, helping people overcome barriers such as limited digital literacy and a lack of access to informal housing networks.
Other grants are supporting direct interventions that help people remain housed. St Kilda Community Housing will use funding to reduce rent arrears for vulnerable older tenants at risk of eviction, while Older Women’s Network NSW will provide practical support for women trying to rebuild stability while managing housing insecurity, including transport assistance, referral support, and small but critical day-to-day costs.
Importantly, this grants round also highlights the role local organisations play in creating long-term housing solutions and safer communities for older people.
35 years of housing
Rotary Golden Wheel Villas was established to address the growing housing challenges facing older pensioners, particularly women living alone. Today, the village provides affordable housing for 23 older residents on the Gold Coast.
This grant will support vital maintenance works, helping keep these homes safe, secure and fit for purpose.
Bringing Affordable Housing Back Into Use
With affordable housing in short supply across the Gladstone region, The Shelter Collective is redeveloping 65 vacant aged care units into homes for people at risk of homelessness.
This grant will help keep the project on track, funding renovations that will bring more affordable housing back into the community.
Helping Older Residents Stay Connected
Many residents at Wongabeena Sarina Aged Housing rely on walking frames or mobility scooters and face challenges including financial hardship, reduced mobility and social isolation.
This grant will fund new and upgraded pathways throughout the village, helping residents safely access shared community spaces, stay connected with neighbours, and improve access for emergency services.
These are practical responses to a growing crisis. But they are also reminders that homelessness later in life is not inevitable.
With the right support, local knowledge, and flexible funding, grassroots organisations can intervene early, reduce harm, and help older Australians remain connected to their communities.
At StreetSmart, we know that small, targeted grants can make a significant difference for organisations responding to complex challenges with limited resources.
We’re proud to support these community-led responses and grateful to the supporters who help make this work possible.
| Organisation | State | Grant Amount |
| Blue Mountains Food Services | NSW | $5,000.00 |
| Connect Victoria Park | WA | $5,000.00 |
| Evergreen Alliance | VIC | $5,000.00 |
| Housing Matters Action Group | NSW | $5,000.00 |
| Older Women’s Network NSW | NSW | $5,000.00 |
| Rotary Golden Wheel Villas | QLD | $5,000.00 |
| St Kilda Community Housing | VIC | $5,000.00 |
| The Shelter Collective | QLD | $5,000.00 |
| Wongabeena Sabrina Aged Housing | QLD | $5,000.00 |
| Total Grants | $45,000.00 |
As the cost of living continues to rise and the recent fuel crisis places even greater pressure on households and frontline services, many community organisations are being asked to do more with less.
Our End of Financial Year Appeal is focused on helping plug these growing funding gaps, providing flexible support that allows local organisations to respond to emerging needs, keep essential services running, and continue supporting people facing homelessness and hardship.
If you’d like to help strengthen these frontline responses, we invite you to support the appeal before June 30.
Thanks to our donors and supporters, $45,000 has been distributed to 9 grassroots organisations, supporting older Australians and ensuring they have the resources and care they need.
We’re always keen to connect with philanthropists, trusts, foundations and companies looking to partner for meaningful impact. If that sounds like you, reach out to partners@streetsmartaustralia.org.
