StreetSmart takes action through Winter
StreetSmart has taken action through winter, building a collective effort to respond to the rising numbers of people experiencing homelessness who are facing dangerous and difficult living conditions. Thanks to our donor community, along with corporate and philanthropic supporters who took part, $236,250 in grants is providing warm food, clothing, material aid, and housing support. Additionally, $313,984 in SleepSafe kits were distributed through our partnership with Sheridan to those facing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Winter is a dangerous time
Heading into winter is a particularly dangerous and difficult time for people experiencing homelessness. Cold temperatures like those recorded across the southern and eastern states are not just uncomfortable for those sleeping rough on streets, in cars and tents and inadequate accommodation, but pose health and safety risks that are life threatening. Secondly, it is at this time that demand for crisis accommodation and the need for support services increase, overwhelming frontline organisations to grapple with unmet demand. Now more than ever, we needed to take action through winter.
“Winter is very cold and many of those we help are living rough or in their cars. Providing food, warm clothing and bedding is essential to allow these people to survive, particularly at this time of year. The number of people reaching out for support this year has increased by 25%” Junction 142 (NSW) on Dharug and Gundungurra Country
Collective action delivers critical care
The generosity from across our network is the kind of collective action, at a critical time, that will create a tangible difference for people without a safe place to call home. It may well be life saving. In total $236,250 of grants support has been distributed in areas of high need across Australia. These 47 community grants have provided a diverse range of essential services and support like these…
Singleton Neighbourhood Centre in NSW will fund the Open Door program providing breakfast and hot meals daily from 9-12.30. Over the past 3 months demand has increased from 40 to 70 meals per day.
Strike it Out will repair their outreach van with a new clutch and tyres to help them continue their outreach program supporting people who are sleeping rough in and around Launceston in Tasmania.
The Outpost Inc Geelong will provide healthy takeaway meals for 8 weeks, and supply rough sleeper packs including swags, backpack, new clothes, socks, underwear and necessities such as fuel vouchers.
Carevan Blacktown in Sydney will purchase a new commercial freezer and bench top oven to help provide their meals service.
Emerge in Drayton will fund the operations of their Rainbow Room crisis accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness – including staff wages, meals, clean clothing and hygiene products.
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20,610
Hervey Bay Sleepbus Volunteers (NSW) on Badtjala and Gubbi Gubbi Country
Knit One Give One (KOGO) distributes over 100,000 hand knitted and crocheted blankets, scarves, beanies, gloves, jumpers and toys to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups throughout Australia. A StreetSmart grant has supported them to cover distribution costs and the video below explains their model.
Empowering small organisations in high-need areas
Our focus has always been to be an advocate for and an ally to the smaller grassroots organisations who are the lifeblood of our suburbs and towns, embedded into their local community ecosystem. We have sought out community organisations to fill funding gaps and build capacity for communities in need at a grassroots level. In this round, 90% of organisations supported are smaller, with an annual turnover of less than $2 million, while 30% turnover less than $250k.
“Honestly your process and respect for grassroots organisations is exemplary and I wish funders could follow your example so we can best get on with making a difference to others lives on the coal face. We are completely volunteer run and it takes 80 volunteers to keep our service continuing” – The Outpost, (VIC) on Wadawurrung Country
We have also continued to be data driven through our grant making and channelled support into regions of high need and vulnerability. We use national census data and sector research and analysis to inform our process, leveraging tools like the Mapping Homelessness database by the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness (AAEH). This has allowed us to boost funding in critical areas like Tweed and Byron in NSW, Mt Isa in regional QLD and Brisbane city in QLD, Mandurah in WA, as well as Frankston and Geelong in VIC. The support of our community has enabled us to create change for people facing homelessness across Australia, from Launceston, TAS to Drawin, NT and Mandurah, WA.
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“The Rainbow Room is crisis accommodation for youth that have nowhere to go – an opportunity to take a breath, be safe out of the cold and away from the storm. This will help us keep the Rainbow room open, providing hot meals, clean clothing hygiene products.” – Emerge Youth (QLD) on Burrangam Country
Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre is known as the place to go when you don’t know where to go. This grant will support people with practical resources like shelter items and camp equipment for cooking so that they can stay warm and fed if this is the only option available to them – Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre (NSW) on Gumbaynggirr Country
“Coming to the centre in the mornings, my fingers freeze and it brings home how many people must be feeling worse on the streets. That is why we need to open our centre ASAP and this grant will go a long way into making that a reality.” – Holy Fools Inc (VIC) on Wurundjeri balluk Country
47 grants to spread the warmth
| State | Grants Given | Amount Distributed |
| NSW | 10 | $50,000.00 |
| NT | 1 | $5,250.00 |
| QLD | 8 | $40,000.00 |
| SA | 1 | $5,250.00 |
| TAS | 1 | $5,250.00 |
| VIC | 24 | $120,000.00 |
| WA | 2 | $10,500.00 |
| Total | 47 | $236,250.00 |
Sleep kits help give winter comfort and warmth
Throughout May, June, and August, 20,610 sleep kits have been delivered to organisations across all states and territories. The kits helped bring comfort, dignity and warmth to those facing homelessness, sleeping in crisis accommodation, on couches, or moving into new homes.
These distributions are part of our ongoing SleepSafe program, run in collaboration with Sheridan Australia. The program is made possible by the generous donations of Sheridan store customers and efforts of Sheridan staff .
Our donors and supporters have once again collectively made an incredible difference for thousands of people struggling to keep a roof over their head, feed their families, or get set up in a new home after experiencing homelessness and trauma. Thank you to those who donated, including our corporate and philanthropic partners.
