Tackling hidden homelessness, together
Through our recent Winter Appeal – UNSEEN – more than 420 generous donors rallied together in a whole-of-community response to tackle hidden homelessness and support grassroots organisations, providing a vital boost of funding to smaller organisations on the frontline as they care for and support those going unseen.
This work is made possible by the collaborative, collective approach of our donor community who give what they can, with funds pooled to support a quick and effective response to on-the-ground need. So, what does this compassion look like in action?
Grants totalling $161,000 have just been distributed to 30 community organisations across Australia in areas of high need, providing a much-needed boost to their capacity to respond to the growing demand.
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Giving care and support to those going unseen
We know that the vast majority of people without a safe place to call home go unseen. Growing numbers of people are being priced out of the rental market and are unable to find an affordable, safe home. They are slipping under the radar, navigating homelessness largely unsupported and often alone. They may not be who we think they are, with increasingly diverse groups of people experiencing hidden homelessness including; older women sleeping in their cars, children staying in domestic and family violence shelters, young people couch surfing at a friend’s, people living in unsafe boarding houses, tents hidden in bushland, run-down caravan parks or overcrowded houses. But, with our donor community alongside us, we’ve just funded 30 grassroots responses to give care and support to those going unseen, including:
13 grants in this round were made to support families and individuals living in their cars, sleeping in tents, or otherwise without shelter
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Families and individuals living in their cars
“The grant means we can provide targeted assistance to those who are often overlooked in traditional homelessness services. We are seeing an increased number of people are falling into precarious living situations and this funding means we can support those in hidden homelessness living in their vehicles with grocery vouchers, fuel cards, hygiene packs, and other practical items to help give immediate assistance”
– The Hut Community Centre on Kaurna Country in SA (pictured)
Young people couchsurfing and staying with friends
“Young people experiencing hidden homelessness often go unnoticed until crisis hits and peer connection is a really effective way to uncover hidden need. This support will strengthen that ripple effect by ensuring that no young person is left unsupported simply because they don’t realise help is available. The support packs will include a food or transport voucher, and referral information.”
– Open Door Youth Housing on Bidjigal Country in NSW
29% of people supported through this grant round are young people aged 12-24 years old
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58% of those impacted through this grant round are being supported with emergency relief, material aid, and basic essentials
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People who are staying in rooming houses
“This is boosting our outreach to rooming house residents, providing personal hygiene products and grocery vouchers for our Health packs for 100 rooming house residents. The outreach worker will also identify residents that are inappropriately housed and reconnect them to housing organisations.
-Peninsula Community Legal Centre on Bunurong Country (VIC)
Refugees and people seeking asylum in overcrowded houses
“With limited access to government housing support and minimal financial assistance, many people seeking asylum struggle to find stable accommodation. High rental costs, discrimination, and lack of rental history further exacerbate the issue, pushing many into overcrowded or unsafe living conditions. This funding is helping provide trauma-informed, holistic support to those coming into our Transitional Accommodation program”
– House of Welcome on Darug Country in NSW (pictured)
16% of grants in this round are funding housing and accommodation outcomes for those facing and experiencing homelessness
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Seeking out and supporting smaller, grassroots organisations
By seeking out and supporting the smaller, grassroots organisations, on the frontline of responding to the growing homelessness crisis, we get support to those who are seeking help for the first time in their lives. When crisis hits, it’s often the neighbourhood centre down the street, or the local food van or drop in space towards which families and individuals first turn to. This response is at the core of what we do, with 70% of organisations supported having a turnover of less than $2 million, and 14% having a turnover of less than $250k.
We have also responded to emerging trends – in terms of channelling support to both regions and cohorts of growing demand and need. Using recent sector analysis and reports from Homelessness Australia and Australian Bureau of Statistics, we have been data driven in our grant making, directing funding to areas like Lismore, Sunshine Coast, Launceston, Tennant Creek and Dandenong.
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”For our small team having the capacity to offer immediate assistance is crucial, and only made possible through grants such as this. It helps us build trust and walk alongside community members as they work through longer-term challenges and change. StreetSmart’s commitment to grassroots organisations like Knox Infolink, truly makes a difference.
Knox Infolink (VIC)
30 grants to support those going UNSEEN
| State | Number of Grants | Distributed |
| NSW | 8 | $44,000.00 |
| VIC | 8 | $40,000.00 |
| QLD | 6 | $33,000.00 |
| NT | 2 | $11,000.00 |
| SA | 2 | $11,000.00 |
| WA | 3 | $16,500.00 |
| TAS | 1 | $5,500.00 |
| Total of Grants | 30 | $161,000 |
Our donors and supporters have collectively impacted over 1,650 people facing homelessness and strengthened 30 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 at partners@streetsmartaustralia.org if this sounds like you.
