Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH)

What Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH) does

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH) is a registered South African non-profit organisation founded in 1981 that provides an integrated platform of communal housing, primary health care, psycho-social day programmes, and social enterprise development for low-income elderly social pensioners aged 60+ whose sole income is the SASSA grant of R2,300 per month. It operates 11 communal houses accommodating 110 residents across six communities in Greater Cape Town (Woodstock, Athlone, Maitland, Elsies River, Stellenbosch, Khayelitsha), 3 primary health care clinics serving 900+ members, 3 day centres delivering the Happiness Programme, and a Garden Project comprising 7 communal and 90 household food gardens. Clinical and psycho-social services are delivered through partnerships with the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health, SIFAR, UCT Occupational Therapy students, and Abalimi Bezakhaya.

The organisation's core methodology is Asset-Based Community-Driven Development (ABCD), adopted as central practice in September 2020, which emphasises community strengths rather than deficits. Residents pay approximately R1,087 per month in combined housing levies, and clinic visits cost R70, structured to remain within the SASSA pension. NOAH operates four social enterprises — the NOAH Cafe, Selling Seconds second-hand shops, NOAH Soap, and the Laundry Bag Project (both in partnership with Charlotte Rhys) — plus a Home Industry kitchen, which collectively generate 24% of the organisation's income with a stated target of 30% by end 2025. The remaining ~76% of income is sourced from donations, grants, and government funding.

NOAH is governed by a Management Board and is registered as an NPO, PBO, and Level 1 BBBEE organisation committed to the Independent Code of Governance for Non-profit Organisations in South Africa. It maintains no proprietary technology stack beyond a standard WordPress website; the SIFAR assessment tool is used for baseline and 4-monthly health follow-ups. The organisation markets through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, email newsletter, and online fundraising platforms (Givengain, Payfast, Snapscan), and accepts donations with Section 18A tax certificates.

Name

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH)

Legal name

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes

Website

https://noah.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH) is a South African non-profit providing integrated communal housing, primary health care clinics, day centres, and social enterprises for low-income elderly social pensioners aged 60+ across six Cape Town communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Elder Care Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities (HLADAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community-Based Senior Centers with Adult Day Services (HLADAIAJ), Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK)

Keywords

• Elder care services
• Senior housing programs
• Primary healthcare clinics
• Community day centres
• Social enterprise development

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodstock, Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Self-Generated Income (Social Enterprises): NOAH operates multiple social enterprises including the NOAH Cafe (coffee, sandwiches, pastries, basic groceries), Selling Seconds second-hand shops (in Woodstock, Athlone, Khayelitsha), a Home Industry (baking and cooking at the Woodstock Community Kitchen), NOAH Soap (repurposed hotel soap made into new bars, with crochet loofah bags), and The Laundry Bag Project (repurposed hotel linen). Net profits from these enterprises subsidise NOAH programmes. Currently 24% of NOAH's income is self-generated, with a target of 30% by end 2025.
2. Donations and Grants: NOAH relies on financial donations from individuals and organisations. Donations are accepted online via credit card, EFT, Payfast, Snapscan, and Givengain. Section 18A certificates may be issued for qualifying donations. Funders include government departments and private foundations. Approximately 76% of income comes from donations and grants.
3. Housing Levies: NOAH residents pay a monthly administrative levy (R430), primary health care levy (R27), and a contribution towards municipal services (approximately R630), totalling approximately R1,087 per month. This covers the cost of communal housing accommodation.
4. Clinic Consultation Fees: NOAH clinic members pay a consultation fee of R70 per visit. Clinics are capped at 300 members each, with a waiting list for new enrolments.
5. Venue Hire: NOAH Cafe is available for venue hire in the evenings and at weekends for events such as baby showers, birthday parties, art installations, and corporate events (up to 30 people). Revenue supports NOAH's vision.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NOAH provides communal housing, primary healthcare clinics, community day centres (the "Happiness Programme"), and social-enterprise development for low-income social pensioners aged 60 and older in the Western Cape, South Africa. The offering combines a place to live, basic medical care, psycho-social support, and income-generating activities for elders who would otherwise be without stable shelter or services.

Product overview

NOAH is a non-profit organization offering an integrated model of housing and services for social pensioners in the Western Cape, South Africa. The organization operates as a platform of four interconnected service pillars: Housing (11 communal houses for 110 fit elderly residents), Health (3 primary health care clinics serving 900+ members), Happiness (3 community day centres with psycho-social support activities), and Social Enterprise Development (social enterprises including the NOAH Cafe, Selling Seconds shops, NOAH Soap, and Home Industry kitchen). The model is designed around Asset-Based Community-Driven Development (ABCD) methodology, providing communal housing, health services, community-building and enterprise development to enable elders to live with purpose, belonging and independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NOAH Cafe: A cozy corner cafe in Woodstock, Cape Town offering coffee, sandwiches, pastries and basic groceries. Also available for venue hire for events up to 30 people.
• Selling Seconds
• NOAH Soap
• NOAH Home Industry
• NOAH Laundry Bag Project

Products and services

• NOAH Housing

Quantifiable outcome

• 900+ elders actively engaged in primary health care clinics
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SIFAR (Samson Institute for Ageing Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIFAR provides the assessment tool used by NOAH Health for baseline and 4-monthly follow-up assessments of beneficiaries. This partnership enables data-driven impact measurement and evidence-based programme delivery. NOAH has signed service-level agreements with the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health, and SIFAR supports the research and validation of NOAH's care model.
• ElamanzicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElamanzi provides ABCD practice, oversight and implementation support to NOAH. They are instrumental in helping NOAH adopt and operationalise the Asset-Based Community-Driven Development methodology across its programmes.
• Greenlight Movement (previously Poverty Stoplight)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenlight Movement provides the methodology (formerly known as Poverty Stoplight) for identifying and addressing poverty indicators among NOAH beneficiaries, complementing the ABCD approach.
• University of Cape Town (UCT) - Occupational Therapy StudentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCT Occupational Therapy students support NOAH by strengthening ABCD practice and providing therapeutic services including physiotherapy at NOAH clinics and centres. This partnership enhances service delivery while providing training opportunities for students.
• UCT Knowledge Co-opminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCT Knowledge Co-op provides IS Honours students for digital literacy programmes at NOAH and facilitates ad hoc masters research projects. This supports NOAH's capacity building and documentation efforts.
• Abalimi BezakhayacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbalimi Bezakhaya supports NOAH's food gardens initiative, providing agricultural expertise and resources for the establishment and maintenance of communal and household-led food gardens at NOAH's Woodstock and Khayelitsha centres.
• SOHCO (Social Housing Company)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOHCO is engaged with NOAH on a social housing pilot project, supporting the development and expansion of NOAH's communal housing model for elderly social pensioners.
• TCB (Taking Care of Business)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCB partners with NOAH to support elderly beneficiaries through business development and entrepreneurship initiatives within the social enterprise programme.
• Western Cape Provincial Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAH has signed service-level agreements with the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health, providing access to state pharmacy, radiology, pathology, and the Vula appointment system for referrals. This partnership is essential to the operation of NOAH's three primary health care clinics.
• Life HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLife Healthcare provides nursing support to NOAH's community-based care programme, assisting less independent residents to remain in their homes for as long as possible through home-based care services.
• Charlotte RhyscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharlotte Rhys, a luxury soap and bath products company, partnered with NOAH to support the NOAH Soap initiative. They provide training, guidance, and marketing assistance, and supply discarded hotel soap for NOAH to repurpose into new bars. Charlotte Rhys also supplies high-quality linen for NOAH's Laundry Bag Project, repurpose hotel linen into elegant laundry bags sold to support elder livelihoods.
• Department of Social Development (South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe South African Department of Social Development is listed as a key government partner supporting NOAH's mission to provide integrated care for elderly social pensioners.
• Salesians InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salesians Institute supports NOAH as a partner organisation, contributing to the network of organisations working to meet the Sustainable Development Goals through NOAH's integrated elder care model.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• HelpAge International: Global non-profit network focused on the rights of older people in developing countries, with regional and country partners across Africa. Comparable to NOAH for the elderly-focused development mandate and community-based service model.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Global non-profit providing affordable housing solutions for low-income families, including elderly and vulnerable populations. Comparable to NOAH's housing pillar in mission and beneficiary-segment focus.
• AARP Foundation: US-based NPO providing integrated services to low-income older adults, including housing, food security, and income support. Comparable for the integrated multi-pillar elderly-services approach.

Direct peers

• Afrika Tikkun: South African non-profit operating an integrated community development model (housing, health, education, social enterprise) for vulnerable populations. Comparable to NOAH for its multi-pillar service delivery and township-based footprint.
• Abalimi Bezekhaya: Cape Town-based NPO supporting household and community food gardens in underserved communities. Comparable on the food security / community garden pillar of NOAH's integrated model.
• SOHCO (Social Housing Company): South African social housing provider developing affordable rental housing for low-to-medium income households, including elderly populations. Direct peer given NOAH's pilot social housing partnership with SOHCO.
• Salesians Institute: Cape Town-based NPO serving vulnerable youth and elderly through education, social enterprise, and community programmes. Comparable as a partner organisation with shared Cape Town footprint and NPO service delivery model.
• Age-in-Action: South African NPO dedicated to the rights and welfare of older persons, providing community-based services, advocacy, and elder support. Closest direct peer to NOAH on the elderly-focused social service mission.
• Huis Luckhoff: Cape Town-based old age home providing residential care and support services to elderly residents. Comparable on the residential/elder-care housing mission in the Western Cape.

Others

• Catholic Relief Services: Large international humanitarian NPO delivering integrated health, social, and economic programmes across developing countries. Related as a large-scale international funding and implementation peer in the social services sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NOAHCPT
• Facebookfacebook.com/NOAHCapeTown
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/noah-capetown
• Instagraminstagram.com/noahcapetown

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH)