How real estate can help end homelessness in Australia

Real estate agents and property managers often see the highs and lows of Australia’s housing story, from people achieving the dream of home ownership to those struggling to keep a roof over their heads.  

The growing pressures of Australia’s housing shortage means more and more people have struggled to find a safe place to call home, with many increasingly turning to couch surfing, sleeping in cars and other insecure housing situations.  

It’s an issue Jellis Craig chief executive Andrew McCann believed was intertwined with the property industry.   

“We are very fortunate to be able to help people get onto the property ladder and to support rental providers and tenants in the property market,” Mr McCann said.  

“But we’re also very aware that there’s a housing crisis in Australia and the pressure it puts on people and social issues like homelessness. 

“We want to make sure that we’re building education around this issue, while supporting and helping where we can.” 

For Mr McCann, raising awareness on the state of homelessness in Australia today was important.  

“A lot of people only think of people experiencing homelessness as those who are living rough on the streets, but there’s more to the issue,” he said.  

On any given night, more than 122,000 Australians have no safe and secure place to call home. While rough sleeping is the most visible face of homelessness, it accounts for just 6% of those affected.  

The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness were hidden, often couch surfing, living in cars, or cycling through temporary accommodation without security.  

The scale is stark: one in 10 Australians were at risk of experiencing homelessness. 

These staggering figures have led to the formation of a new national initiative, A Home for All foundation, which is uniting the property industry to help end homelessness. 

Backed by leading industry voices, the foundation will drive awareness, raise money and build long-term change for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. 

Mr McCann, along with a range of industry leaders, has joined the foundation’s committee to help steer its work and draw attention to this important issue.  

“As a leader in our business, it’s important to look at opportunities to give back, so I was honoured and thrilled to be involved,” he said. 

“We need to be talking to people who are at the coal face of these challenges.  

“Participation in conversations as big as this need people that are invested in improving the outcome and are prepared to do the work. The only way you get action is to get the right people in the room.”  

Leaders from real estate, home building, community housing and other sectors have joined the committee to ensure the right voices were sitting at the table.  

The foundation’s first major initiative, A Night Without Home, will take place in October. 

Australians from all walks of life are invited to spend one night in October without the comfort of home, raising awareness and vital funds for charities tackling homelessness.  

People might want to try couch surfing, sleeping in the car, spending a night in the office or something else that reflects the vast range of experiences of homelessness.  

Participants can sign up as an individual or as a team and are encouraged to fundraise, with funds going towards the foundation.  

The support will accelerate the efforts of reputable charities in addressing homelessness.  

For Mr McCann, events like this are about turning awareness into action.  

“We need to tackle this problem head on, and the only way to do that is to broaden and open up the conversation,” he said.  

“I’m really interested in helping people to understand more about that, to educate for it, but also to force the change.”  

Jellis Craig also gives back to the community through its Jellis Craig foundation, raising and donating funds and resources to charities and groups across numerous causes.

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