Hard hats but soft hearts
Youth homelessness is a huge problem, but one that the property industry can solve, says the Property Industry Foundation’s new chief Kate Mills, ahead of National Hard Hat Day on 26 October.
Mills took on the Foundation’s top job in September and is on a mission to make a difference to youth homelessness.
Around 43 per cent of homeless people in Australia are under 25 years of age. More than 44,000 young Australians are currently living on the streets, in refuges or in unsafe circumstances.
“Youth homelessness is a problem that the property industry should own, because we are the ones that are in the best place to solve it,” Mills explains.
Mills has a brilliant business pedigree, having edited BRW for three years, founded the ProfessionalMums.net network and driven the growth of the Financial Executives Institute of Australia.
“I was looking for a role with a lot of purpose – but purpose connected to the business community.” The Property Industry Foundation, she says, has a “tangible and long-term” mission “and I want people to get excited about what we can achieve together”.
Established in 1996, the Foundation has raised more than $20 million. Half of money raised by the Foundation funds the construction of group homes for at-risk and homeless young people which are then run by charities. The other half supports counselling services, employment and education programs and early intervention.
Ten homes in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have been constructed, while a further four homes are in the pipeline in Sydney and Brisbane. A 24/7 crisis accommodation centre is being developed in Melbourne.
Among the fundraising campaigns the Foundation operates each year is the National Hard Hat Campaign, which raises around $180,000 annually, while the yachting regatta generates more than $400,000 each year. Add to the mix a corporate donors’ program, gala dinners and balls, the Tour de PIF cycling challenge and the StreetSleep program for young leaders.
“The National Hard Hat Campaign started with BBQs on construction sites and has grown from there,” Mills explains. The campaign commences each August and culminates with the National Hard Hat Day on 26 October.
So far, 34 property companies have signed up to hold fundraising events – from movie nights and LEGO challenges to morning teas and raffles. Property Council employees get behind the Hard Hat Campaign by donating a portion of their pay to the cause, with more than $3,000 donated to the Foundation in the last two years alone.
“Find something that is fun, that allows you to raise funds and that encourages your teams to come together – but don’t lose sight of why we are doing this,” Mills says.
“Together, we can build hundreds of rooms for young people without a place to stay. And together we can stand up and say: ‘we’ve done this’.”
Learn more about the National Hard Hat Campaign.