……. Photo: The S.H.I.F.T Project in Byron
We’re helping stop homelessness, before it starts
A huge thank you to our generous and committed community who have backed our End of Year Appeal. Our model hinges on the power of collective effort, where small actions generate tangible social change at the community level. New and existing donors have made it possible to fund 20 smaller grassroots organisations working to support those at The Tipping Point of homelessness.
10,000 people become homelessness each month, a stark reminder of just how entrenched our homelessness system is in a crisis response, rather than a preventative approach. That’s why we worked to raise awareness and funds to boost early intervention and preventative solutions that spare the trauma of homelessness for families, children, and individuals. They also stop the cycle of bandaid solutions and direct precious resources towards long term change.
We are pleased to share that we have been able to distribute $100,00 in funding! Read on to understand what this means for community organisations on the frontline and the people in need who they walk alongside.
100,000
490
20
What this funding means and what it’s helping to achieve…
For people in need, this funding is helping them to stay safely housed when faced with eviction or instability, to holistically manage immediate crisis when it first arises, to work towards long term security through training, employment and education, and to access early intervention programs like legal advice and case management.
It’s also empowering overwhelmed organisations to scale up prevention approaches, rather than crisis responses. We know that prevention is underfunded at the grassroots level, with frontline organisations often needing to direct limited resources to those experiencing chronic homelessness. 35% of funded organisations have an annual turnover less than $1 million.
40% of grants in this round are supporting people through enabling them to set up, maintain, or access safe housing.
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Avoiding evictions to stay housed
“The Central Coast is facing a rental crisis and people are struggling to sustain their tenancies. This grant is assisting tenants to sustain their tenancies and to work through rental arrears without the fear of becoming homeless. It will mean families and individuals can overcome outstanding rent or other expenses and ensure their tenancies are sustained.”
– Central Coast Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service on Darkinjung Country in NSW
Financial coaching improves stability
“We are embedded in our local community and this is helping us cover the costs of providing financial coaching to the women we support. Financial education is critical to increasing stability and improving mindsets. This grant is opening the door for women facing financial poverty, disconnection, homelessness, and trauma to attend fortnightly sessions over 6 months.”
-The SHIFT Project on Arakwal Country in NSW (pictured)
20% of grants in this round are providing employment, training, education, or upskilling opportunities.
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40% of people supported in this round are young people aged 12-24 years.
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Easing pressures through meeting basic needs
“The immediate challenges around food security and financial stress place significant strain on parents’ mental health and their capacity to focus on longer-term stability and opportunities for their families. The weekly provision of fresh food boxes helps address these pressing needs while providing a foundation for broader positive change.”
– The One Box on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Country in NSW (pictured)
Flexible support helps to circuit-break homelessness
“This grant will act as a “circuit breaker” for crises, covering urgent costs like short-term accommodation, tenancy debt relief, and essential household items to prevent young people from entering the cycle of long-term homelessness. This is really helping to ensure that young people remain engaged with their support systems and avoid the “sorry business” or financial shocks that frequently trigger homelessness in our community.”
– Gap Youth and Community Centre on Arrernte Country in NT
35% of those impacted through this grant round are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders. We’ve funded 2 Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations or Aboriginal-led projects in this round.
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Seeking out and supporting 20 smaller grassroots organisations
”While core program delivery is currently sustained, we lack dedicated resources to meet the growing level of practical support required to stabilise participants’ housing, health and digital connection. Discretionary assistance - such as this grant - directly strengthens our capacity to keep women and young people connected to safety, stability and engaged in the program
Women and Mentoring, Naarm (VIC)
| Organisation | State | Grant Amount |
| Bridge It | VIC – metro | $5,000.00 |
| Central Coast Tenant’s Advice and Advocacy Service | NSW – regional | $5,000.00 |
| Family Emergency Accommodation Townsville | QLD – regional | $5,000.00 |
| Francis Foundation | VIC – metro | $5,000.00 |
| Galiwinku Women’s Space | NT – regional | $5,000.00 |
| Gap Youth and Community Centre | NT – regional | $5,000.00 |
| Midlas | WA – metro | $5,000.00 |
| NESAY | VIC – regional | $5,000.00 |
| Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services | NSW – regional | $5,000.00 |
| Project:herSELF | QLD – metro | $5,000.00 |
| Rainbow Lodge | NSW – metro | $5,000.00 |
| S.H.I.F.T project | NSW – regional | $5,000.00 |
| St John’s Youth Services | SA – metro | $5,000.00 |
| Success Works | NSW – metro | $5,000.00 |
| The One Box | VIC – metro | $5,000.00 |
| Up-stream | VIC – regional | $5,000.00 |
| West Welcome Wagon | VIC – metro | $5,000.00 |
| Women and Mentoring | VIC – metro | $5,000.00 |
| WomenCAN Australia | VIC – metro | $5,000.00 |
| Youth Law | VIC – metro | $5,000.00 |
| Total Grants | $100,000.00 |
Our donors and supporters have collectively impacted over 490 people facing homelessness and strengthened 20 smaller grassroots programs on the frontline of the homelessness crisis. We are always interested in connecting with philanthropists, trusts and foundations and companies who are looking to partner for positive impact and respond to homelessness in Australia, please reach out to partners@streetsmartaustralia.org if this sounds like you.
