Aussie property big names rally to tackle homelessness

The biggest names in property have united to tackle homelessness across the country, getting behind a new foundation aimed at helping Aussies in need.

Ray White, LJ Hooker, McGrath Estate Agents were among the early backers of A Home for All foundation, the new foundation raising and directing funds towards fighting homelessness in Australia.  

Real estate networks Area Specialist, Buxton, Jellis Craig, Laing & Simmons, OBrien Real Estate, Place Estate Agents, Stockdale & Leggo, Stone Real Estate, The Agency, Woodards, and YPA have committed to supporting the new foundation from the start.  

They were joined by Enigma, Frasers Property, GJ Gardiner Homes, Housing All Australians, Tomorrow Agency, and the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA). 

The new foundation will channel the property industry’s reach and influence, driving awareness, raising money and building long-term change for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.   

It comes as Australia’s homelessness problem goes from bad to worse, with more than more than 122,000 Australians having no safe and secure place to call home on any given night, according to 2021 Census figures.  

However, just 6% of people experiencing homelessness were sleeping rough. 

The vast majority of those experiencing homelessness were couch surfing, sleeping in cars, or moving from one temporary accommodation to the next.  

Christine Mikhael, the foundation’s newly elected advisory committee chair and chief executive of LJ Hooker, said the foundation presented an opportunity for the industry to rally. 

“The property industry is uniquely positioned to address the issue of homelessness and housing insecurity,” she said.  

“Every day we help our clients buy, sell and rent homes and we have a responsibility to help Australians establish a home.  

“Our work is closely linked to the heart of the issue and A Home for All foundation is an opportunity to support those who really need it. 

“As a collective we can build on the impactful charitable work so many in our industry have been doing for many years.” 

Every dollar raised will be directed to homelessness and housing insecurity charitable organisations.  

The foundation’s first initiative is an invitation to the industry and people from all walks of life to take part in A Night Without Home this October.  

The event will invite individuals and teams to make a donation or spend a night without the comforts of home and fundraise for the cause.

The new foundation has attracted various property and community leaders who will oversee how the money raised will be shared with organisations delivering help to people experiencing homelessness.  

Bridge It co-founder and foundation committee member Carla Raynes said the foundation and event were opportunities to turn awareness into action.   

“I’ve worked in homelessness for 20 years and I’ve seen it get significantly worse in that time,” she said.   

“Hopefully this campaign will increase funding into the sector, and to organisations like Bridge It that urgently need it.” 

Natalie Hortz, foundation committee member and head of organisational development at Ray White, said it was important for the industry to come together on this important issue.  

“Behind every statistic, there is actually a real person, who is often in desperate need and deserves dignity, hope and a safe place to call home,” Ms Hortz said.  

The foundation’s advisory committee also includes Jellis Craig’s Andrew McCann, Origin Energy’s Catherine Anderson, Knight Frank’s James Patterson, Housing All Australians’ Robert Pradolin, REIA’s Scott Rollason, UDIA and LAWD’s Oscar Stanley, Frasers Property’s Emily Wood, and REA Group’s Kul Singh and Elisa Nerone. 

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