Senior Homelessness Prevention & Housing Project
We support older Australians who are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of losing their housing. Our focus is on securing stable, long-term homes and providing personalised, practical support to help people rebuild safety, wellbeing and independence. By addressing both housing and support needs early, our goal is to reduce the risk of people re-entering homelessness in the future.
Understanding senior homelessness
Homelessness among older Australians is rising. Many rely on unsafe or temporary arrangements such as unaffordable rentals, couch surfing, sleeping in cars or crisis accommodation. Rising living costs, limited social housing, health decline and reduced retirement savings make stability difficult to achieve without support. Elder Folks helps seniors secure safe, permanent homes and the services they need to stay well.
How we can help
Our Senior Homelessness Prevention and Housing Project supports older people to move from crisis or temporary accommodation into long-term, stable housing. We provide personalised case management, housing navigation and ongoing support so clients feel safe, supported and confident as they rebuild their lives.
Our support includes:
Housing identification and placement
We help seniors find permanent, suitable housing that aligns with their health, mobility, financial circumstances and personal preferences.
Help with applications and housing systems
We support clients to complete housing applications with real estates or social housing providers, navigate waitlists, understand eligibility and prepare for tenancy assessments.
Coordinating support services
We connect people with home care services, mental health supports, medical professionals, medication management, counselling, Centrelink and Medicare assistance, and victims’ compensation where relevant.
Sourcing essential household items
We help arrange furniture, whitegoods, linen, food hampers and essentials so clients can settle safely into their new home.
Assistance moving from temporary accommodation
We support a smooth transition with help arranging removalists, utility connections, rental bond assistance and funding applications.
Reducing time spent in crisis accommodation
By securing long-term housing earlier, we reduce the risks associated with ongoing homelessness and minimise the emotional and financial strain for seniors and the wider community.
Our approach is built on empathy and early intervention, helping seniors regain stability, dignity and independence across NSW.
Clients
Trevor’s Story
A stable home and personalised support helped Trevor rebuild safety and independence.
Trevor is a 76-year-old Indigenous man from the Northern Rivers who lived without stable housing for more than 15 years, relying on friends and family for temporary accommodation. Over time, the ongoing uncertainty began to affect his health and wellbeing, and it became clear he needed a safe, stable home with the right support to maintain his independence.
Securing housing was complex. Trevor wanted to remain close to family and community, had no recent rental history, and required access to ongoing aged care support. Elder Folks worked closely with housing providers, aged care professionals and community services to develop a tailored plan that reflected his needs and priorities.
We helped Trevor secure an affordable villa in an over-55s village in Lismore, close to family and community. With My Aged Care services now in place, he has stable accommodation, consistent support and the freedom to live life on his terms. Today, Trevor feels safe, connected, and proud to finally have a place to call home.
Frequently asked questions
These questions help explain how we prevent homelessness, support safe transitions and help seniors maintain long-term housing stability.
We support seniors aged 65 and over, or 55 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. This includes older women escaping domestic violence, veterans, culturally diverse seniors and anyone experiencing or at risk of homelessness across NSW. We tailor support to each person’s health, mobility and financial needs.
We work closely with clients to identify suitable long-term housing options, assist with applications and liaise with housing providers. Our team considers accessibility needs, affordability, cultural considerations and personal preferences. This ensures each person is matched with a home that supports safety, independence and wellbeing.
We assist with every practical step, including arranging removalists, sourcing furniture and essentials, connecting utilities and helping with rental bonds or funding schemes. Our goal is to ensure seniors move into their new home feeling safe, comfortable and supported from the very first day.
We provide continued case management, wellbeing checks, home care coordination and connections to medical, mental health and social supports. These services help seniors maintain their tenancy, improve their health and feel confident managing daily life in their new home.
Older Australians often face financial disadvantage, reduced retirement savings, rising living costs and limited access to affordable housing. Health decline, social isolation and domestic violence also contribute. These pressures make it difficult to maintain safe accommodation without early intervention and tailored support.
By providing rapid, personalised housing solutions and addressing the barriers that keep seniors in temporary accommodation, we shorten the time spent in motels or crisis settings. This improves wellbeing, reduces risk and lowers the demand on emergency housing systems and government resources.
Our service is holistic and person-led. We combine trauma-informed case management, housing expertise and aged care knowledge to create long-term outcomes. We don’t just secure housing. We ensure each client has the supports needed to remain stable, safe and independent over time.