A Little Owl venture
Finalists of the 2021 Vogue Codes Future Innovators Award
WHAT IS NESTWELL?
Nestwell works with service providers to streamline placements of ‘Just-A-Roof Women’ into under-utilised short-term rental accommodation. Nestwell tackles invisible homelessness by intervening for women on the verge of housing insecurity, through real estate agents and other service providers re-directing them to our system. We are set up within a network of service providers and through the help of case workers, ‘Just-A-Roof Women’ can be appropriately and efficiently matched with a local Airbnb host for a 3-month period.
WHO ARE ‘JUST-A-ROOF WOMEN’?
‘Just-A-Roof Women’ represent the low need, low risk, older homeless women experiencing housing insecurity. This demographic is largely invisible. They do not satisfy the criteria of the majority of existing programs designed to assist homeless people, and therefore fall though the gaps.
A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP
Nestwell is mutually beneficial, giving ‘Just-A-Roof Women’ time to find affordable, long-term housing and re-enter the private rental market. Meanwhile, Airbnb hosts have reliable income for 3 months, company in their home and an opportunity to contribute to community.
WHY is NESTWELL NEEDED?
In 2019, women over 55 were the fastest growing group of homeless people in Australia. There is a need for housing security for a generation of women who are financially disadvantaged due to the gender pay gap and cultural expectations of undertaking unpaid household duties leaving them with little to no savings or superannuation. This system aims to bridge the gap between the over-supply of short-term rentals in NSW and the excessive demand for emergency housing.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
We adopt a ‘tell us once’ policy where women are heard and assisted, and do not become stuck in a vicious cycle of referral.
Older women are diverted from becoming part of NSW’s invisible stream of homelessness and ultimately maintain their dignity.
Unlike other services, Nestwell promotes choice.
Case workers are able to support a higher number of women looking for crisis accommodation, and the resources of service providers can prioritise higher-need homeless people.
Airbnb hosts who experience low occupancy rates have secure income, combat loneliness and feel they are a valued member in community.
NESTWELL HOSTS
Hosts must first undertake a vetting process that ensures the safety of Just a Roof Women entering their home. We also offer training programs for hosts to become Nestwell certified. For more information, please see our FAQs or email us at the address below.
‘Just-a-roof women’
You can register your details at any time to begin your journey in the Nestwell system. You will also have the chance to meet and negotiate with a host and if anything feels uncertain, you may switch to another host that is more accommodating to your needs. We prioritise your choice in choosing your home for the next 3 months. Email us here.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
With the streamlined approach of the Nestwell system, service providers are able to better utilise their available resources by accessing a new area of the private rental market. With Nestwell certified hosts, service providers can confidently house their clients in safe accommodation. For more information, please see our FAQs or email us at the address below.
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Register to become a Nestwell certified real estate agent. Real estate agents can now offer those in need of housing an amazing opportunity with the Nestwell system by helping homeowners and landlords find suitable vetted tenants to rent spare rooms.
meet the team
Where we are at
The team has recently completed their ideation phase and are currently setting up a pilot in Western Sydney, bearing in mind the current COVID-19 lockdown in Greater Sydney. There is an established network of stakeholders involved, ready to go once restrictions ease and the community is back to safety.
The team is committed to working with our stakeholders throughout the whole process.
GET INVOLVED
Book in to:
Learn more about how Nestwell works
Discuss how we can begin conducting tailored searches for you immediately
Help us improve our ideas whether you are a service provider, Airbnb host or real estate agent.
Or email us at nestwell@littleowl.xyz to access our screening questionnaire.