‘Largely invisible’: How real estate is shining a light on homelessness

Every day, the team at OBrien Real Estate help buyers find their perfect homes, places that become sanctuaries of security and shelter.  

But, for a heartbreaking number of Australians, a safe place to call home wasn’t a reality. 

According to figures from the 2021 Census, on any given night, more than 122,000 people were experiencing homelessness with the vast majority hidden from plain sight, couch surfing or living in cars. 

To help tackle this homelessness crisis, the team at OBrien Real Estate will be putting their weight behind the new A Home for All Foundation.  

It’s a crisis the property industry was well placed to help solve and OBrien is among numerous real estate and property groups leading by example. 

“At OBrien Real Estate, we believe that having a safe and secure home is the foundation for everything else in life: stability, wellbeing, and opportunity,” OBrien Real Estate’s marketing and events manager Gemma Mintern said.  

“Knowing that over 122,000 Australians go without this basic need drives us to take action. 

“We want to use our voice to raise awareness and our network to raise funds, and to work with the broader property industry to be part of the solution.  

“We don’t just want to talk about the issue; we want to help lead meaningful change and inspire others in our industry to do the same.” 

Homelessness in Australia has been far less visible than most of us assumed. 

“The biggest misunderstanding is that homelessness is only what we can see,” Ms Mintern said.  

“Most people I think would picture someone sleeping rough on a park bench or in a doorway, but that represents just a small fraction of the issue.” 

The sobering statistics confirm this hidden reality: 94% of people experiencing homelessness were living in insecure situations, such as couch surfing, living in cars, or moving between temporary accommodation without security. 

“The single mother working tirelessly just to keep a roof over her children’s heads, the young person couch surfing from friend to friend’s house, or families living in unsafe, temporary accommodation,” Ms Mintern said.  

“These stories are largely invisible, which means the scale and urgency of the problem are often underestimated.” 

This is why the property industry’s collective action was so crucial and Ms Mintern believed the sector had a responsibility to take the lead.  

“We believe the property industry has a unique role to play in solving homelessness,” she said. 

“Collectively, we have the insights, networks, and resources to drive real change. Tackling homelessness isn’t just a social issue; it’s a housing issue, and our industry should be part of the solution.” 

OBrien’s commitment will be showcased through the foundation’s first major campaign, A Night Without Home.  

Taking place in October, the initiative has invited participants to experience, in a small way, the challenges faced by those without a safe place to sleep by spending a night away from their usual home comforts. 

“As a launch partner we will be participating by holding office-led sleep-outs to help raise both money and awareness,” Ms Mintern said.  

“Our team will experience, in a small way, what it means to go without the comfort of a bed for one night.

“The goal is to not only raise funds but also to foster a deeper sense of empathy and understanding. If this foundation inspires only a few people to take action in any form, I think we will achieve something truly meaningful.” 

Obrien have a strong legacy of giving back, primarily through their foundation, which has supported more than 20 different groups and collectively donated more than $250,000 directly and indirectly.  

This community focus was highlighted earlier this year when the foundation ran its first charity ball, raising an impressive $25,000 for Monash Children’s Hospital.  

“Home is at the heart of everything we do,” she said.  

“This partnership allows us to extend that purpose beyond our clients and into the wider community, ensuring that more Australians have the opportunity to experience the security of not just a house but a home.” 

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