The Osborne Street institution, which has helped and housed victims of domestic violence for 30 years, was one of several Illawarra housing agencies to miss out on funds in the Going Home Staying Home shake-up.

Five staff are now out of a job, and countless women, both present and future, will no longer have access to the agency's services.

More than 70 workers, volunteers, clients and friends met one last time on Tuesday at the small house the agency called home, for a farewell lunch.

Despite promises the redundant staff would be offered the chance to work with women's agencies that were successful under the funding reforms, Wollongong Women's Housing manager Loekie Klevjer said none of her workers had secured new jobs.

"They are assessing their future. Some are taking breaks, but all still have a lot to give to this area," Ms Klevjer said.

She called the homelessness reforms "a disaster" and said those in need would now have far fewer helping hands to reach for.

"I have concerns for anyone doing it tough in Australia now, with these organisations being pushed out," Ms Klevjer said. "There isn't much out there now. We need some creative thinking at the top, because people are suffering."

Wollongong Women's Housing will officially cease operations next week.