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WINTER NIGHT SHELTERS

Australia has a housing and homelessness crisis. A lack of safe, secure and affordable housing is one factor resulting in 116,000 being homeless on any given night, and 275,000 people seeking assistance in the last year. As winter approaches there are thousands of people sleeping rough on the streets, living in their cars or other temporary shelters. The situation is worsening, and effects all communities, including our regional centres and the outer urban fringes.

The reality is that many people on low incomes have virtually no housing options. Services they approach will most likely turn them away, a few may be offered a night in a motel at best over the winter if there are extreme circumstances.

A local response to this crisis has been the setting up of temporary shelters over the winter period, making use of mostly underutilised, church buildings, manned by trained volunteers. We recognise that these shelters are providing a much needed temporary, local, crisis service and are also helping guests to link to local organisations who can assist with longer term impacts. We would rather these shelters were not needed, but they are.

That’s why this month we are raising funds for the operating costs of three Winter Night Shelters in the Yarra Ranges, Sunbury and Bendigo, all in Victoria.

More Information:

Guardian Australia – Just Two rentals in Australia affordable for single people on Newstart

Bendigo Advertiser – Churches plan to throw open doors this winter


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Huge thanks to the following organisations who have supported our StreetFunder

“Our business has been supporting StreetSmart through workplace giving since 2015. Each month our team helps fund a new project and we get immediate feedback on how the money has been spent. We are really proud to be a part of such an important initiative, and our staff are too”   Justine Butler, ASIC in the Community Manager

Melbourne Pathology
Dr Bronner
ASIC
Flatmate
Royals

Contact Geoff to chat about how we can develop a workplace giving program that fits your organisation or choose StreetSmart on the ‘Good to Give’ platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

StreetFunded Projects

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    Blacktown Youth Services

    In April we helped Blacktown YS to manage crisis of young people experiencing homelessness. Funded a small scale proj to deliver a space to engage with homeless young people and provide them with practical material and emotional support; and develop a comprehensive resource that provides guidance for young people how to navigate the system. Total Funds provided: $6,000

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    Becoming a Queen Again Book Project

    We provided seed funding for "Becoming a Queen Again" a new book for women experiencing domestic violence, to assist them in securing a safe place to call home, and with their recovery and healing journey. Enabling S and the Sunny Kids team, to develop and prepare the book to the point of printing. Total Funds provided: $5,016

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    Help Support Aboriginal Housing Program

    Founded as a women's shelter in the 1980s, "Helping the mob to help themselves" is the proud motto of Innari, a small, longstanding support service in Sydney, with a team of only four staff. Your support in Feb supported their housing program. Total Funds provided: $5,327

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    Help Support Older LGBTI People

    We know that discrimination and structural disadvantage has created a crisis for older women, but older LGBTI homelessness is a hidden issue. That's why in Jan 2019 we helped funded a LGBTI Elders program with HAAG to connect with older LGBTI people who are struggling without support. Total Funds provided: $7,132

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    Cost of Christmas

    In Nov & Dec 2018, we supported 5 organistions to provide Christmas dinners, gifts and extended opening hours and make sure no one is isolated during the holiday season. Organisation supported: Cos We Care - SA, Manna Gum Community House - VIC, Zig Zag - QLD, Coast Shelter - NSW, Whitelion Balga - Perth. Total Funds provided: $16,200

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    Safe Pets Safe Families

    With the help of 130 foster carers, volunteer case workers, vets, trainers and a network of professionals, we helped to make sure that personal safety does not come at a cost of losing a precious furry friend, helping those fleeing violent relationship with their pets. Funds provided $5,850

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    Home Share Melbourne

    In Sep 2018 we seed-funded Home Share Melbourne; an innovative project to get it off the ground with a pilot program. By matching homeowners with room to share, with people who cannot afford the cost of rent – Home Share is creating a proactive solution to homelessness. Read our interview with Home Share here. Total funds provided $9,502

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    Registry Weeks

    An important intervention (supported by The Australian Alliance to End Homelessnes) enables the use the ‘Housing First’ model by working to mobilise resources at the community level to identify, by name, every individual and family in need of permanent housing, specifically targeting rough sleepers and the most vulnerable. Our August campaign supported the AAEH to equip more communities to roll out Registry Weeks and solve homelessness at the local level. Total funds provided $5,740

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    Social Enterprises

    July 2018 we shined a light on the role of social enterprise in solving homelessness - crowdfunded for two incredible projects - Crepes for Change (Melbourne) to give young people experiencing homelessness training, and The Bread and Butter Project (Sydney) to hire one more employee in their growing team of refugees and asylum seeker bakers. Total funds provided $7,370

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    Medical Care for Rough Sleepers

    This EOFY, we supported FIVE life saving health projects – Night Nurses (Melbourne), Homeless Healthcare (Perth), Street Med (Sydney), Micah Projects - Medical Outreach Team (Brisbane) and Homeless Healthcare Street Clinic (Hobart). Funds provided: $38,050

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    Open Doors Youth Service

    In May 2018 we supported Open Doors Youth Service; a QLD based service, that provide comprehensive support to young LGBT people with the aim of ensuring a secure living situation. They help find short or long term accommodation and provide mediation with parents, schools and other family members. Funds provided $6,300

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    Youth Law Legal Pod Program

    We supported the Youth Law Legal Pod Program aimed specifically at helping care leavers, and adding our voice to the #MakeIt21 campaign encouraging Governments to extend care to 21 years of age. Through mentoring the Legal Pod team are able to help negotiate the complexities of adult life and dealing with legal issues. Funds provided $5,141

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    First Nations Homelessness Project

    We supported the First Nations Housing Project in March 2018, a community driven initiative in Perth, working to keep indigenous families housed. With a small boost from our StreetFunders we helped fund lawn mowing, excess rubbish removal and basic maintenance and prevent indigenous families from being evicted into homelessness. Funds provided $8,001

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    Community, Country & A Safe Place To Call Home

    On the 10th anniversary of the National Apology to Stolen Generations, we supported the Larrakia Nations housing outreach support. This service comprises a range of programs aimed at improving community safety, wellbeing and overcoming social exclusion, with a focus on Aboriginal homeless people and visitors to Darwin, including Youth Patrol, Night Patrol and Health and Assistance in Long-grass (HEAL). Funds provided $7,675

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    Older Persons Homelessness

    On any given night almost 15,000 people aged 55 and over experience homelessness. This month StreetFunders supported address this growing crisis funding two important initiatives. WAGEC will provide support when women move from crisis to permanent housing and HAAG will support older women to advocate for better services The impact of low income and rising living costs leaves many older Australians spending more than half of their income on rent, and many struggling to maintain or find an affordable tenancy.  Total Funds provided $18,842

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    Christmas Cheers

    Christmas is a lonely and stressful time for many people, especially if you don’t have a safe place to call home. This month StreetFunders supported 5 organisations meet the extra costs of helping people at this difficult time. Christmas dinners were provided, food services kept going over the holidays, the doors stayed open to help people in crisis, and young kids had activities to keep them busy over the holidays. Heart and Soul (SA), KoolKuna DV Refuge (WA), SANDBAG (QLD), StreetHearts (NSW) and Veritas House (NSW). Total Funds provided $7,710

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    Anchor Housing

    StreetFunders helped address the growing and real, but often hidden, crisis of homelessness in the outer suburbs, reinstating an emergency relief fund at Anchor Housing to meet essential and critical needs. Funds provided $9,392

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    Youth Homeless Services

    StreetFunders SEED-FUNDED an innovative project in the Geelong and Barwon Region aimed at helping young people. The project was set up by a coalition of specialist youth homeless services; Barwon & South West Homelessness Network, after they idenified a gap in funding to support young people with eductaion and employment support. Funds provided $9,745

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    Soccer Program

    In August StreetFunder support went directly to Player Support and Transition at The Big Issue StreetSoccer Program, helping in very practical ways to support the player group and weekly members who are looking to take the next step. Funds provided $9,178

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    Wollongong Homeless Hub

    StreetFunders refurbished the Wollongong Homeless Hub outreach truck. The van heads out into the local area doing important rounds to areas without local support services - supplying clothing, basic supplies, hygiene packs, tents, swags and important connection to services and advice. Funds provided $7,333

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    Action Against Hunger

    The 2017 End of Financial Year camapign saw StreetFunders support the important work of three organisations CareVan, The Adelaide Day Centre Soup Van and St Mary’s House of Welcome. The focus of the support was food security, funding each organisation's food programs. Total Funds provided $27,600

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    The Nest Program

    StreetFunders supported Youth Futures 'NEST' program, helping vulnerable young parent’s and their babies with accommodation and long term support. It is vital that these young people are assisted and helped at this point of crisis. Funds provided $6,655

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    500 Lives 500 Homes

    We believe everyone has the right to a place to call home and this month StreetFunders helped a number of families transition from homelessness into housing successfully, helping them create a safe and secure place to call home. Housing first is a successful model for ending homelessness so check out 500 Lives 500 Homes. Funds provided $4,969

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    Footpath Library

    The Footpath Library hits the streets of Sydney to provide conversations, friendship, connect and books to people experiencing homelessness. They are a small dedicated team and this month StreetFunders helped fund the operations resulting in the distribution of around 3,000 books www.footpathlibrary.org. Funds provided $2,330

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    Women’s Community Shelters

    Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness and many young kids are caught up in the trauma. StreetFunders supported WCS families with back to school fund split between their Great Lakes (Regional NSW) and Sanctuary (NW Sydney) shelters. Funds provided $2,201

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    Emerge Women & Children’s Support Network

    Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness and many young kids are caught up in the trauma. StreetFunders supported Emerge to support families with their Back to School costs which are hard to meet when you have left everything behind to flee violence. Check them out here Funds provided $4,497

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    Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands

    StreetFunders helped the volunteer team at HHH to provide Christmas Dinner & important outreach services over the holiday period when other services in the area are closed. Check them out here Funds provided $1,765

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    Orange Sky

    Orange Sky provides free laundry and shower services across Australia. StreetFunders helped cover the on-road costs of their new shower van which was on trial in Brisbane where it proved a winner with more vans hitting the road in 2017. Check them out here Funds provided $1,636

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