Aus Living Support to assist 200 vulnerable Coast families thanks to $50,000 grant from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund
The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is pleased to announce a new $50,000 grant to Aus Living Support Ltd to assist vulnerable Sunshine Coast residents find more permanent housing.
Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Aus Living Support Ltd is a Sunshine Coast charity supporting the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless by helping with rent relief.
“Housing affordability and the cost-of-living are issues affecting more and more people in our community and the Buderim Foundation is pleased to be able to work with organisations providing real relief for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness,” Rod McKinnon said.
Aus Living Support Ltd CEO Ian Harrison said the $50,000 grant would assist 200 families on the Sunshine Coast over about a year.
Mr Harrison said Aus Living Support started in 2019 and operated two Op Shops – in Maroochydore and Nambour – with the funds raised together with grants providing a rental supplement scheme.
“We provide up to $200 a week of rental or mortgage support for families for an initial period of up to three months,” Mr Harrison said.
He said clients were often single mothers, some reestablishing themselves and their children after escaping domestic violence, often away from the support of families and friends, who were facing multiple challenges.
“This rental support gives our clients a chance to breathe, regroup and gain the courage to face the challenges so they can again support themselves and their children.
Mr Harrison said through the applications received by Aus Living, they could see that the average rent for a small home on the Sunshine Coast had increased to about $700 a week.
“This means that for those surviving on government support and a casual job, often there just isn’t enough money to cover housing as well as food, and other living expenses, and without a stable place to live, everything else just becomes almost impossible.
“Our program is designed to provide relief from that pressure, so our clients can work with our partner organisations to get back on their feet.
“We are so grateful for the support of the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund. This is the second grant we have received, and it makes a real difference to us and allows us to support more families in need as they face the next steps to rebuilding their lives.”
The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program to multiple grant recipients has provided over $510,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.
The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.
To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/. For more information, about Aus Living Support Ltd, visit auslivingsupport.org.au/ and for more information about the Buderim Foundation visit buderimfoundation.org.au.
Written by: Michelle Smytheman michelle@reflectedimage.com.au