Major projects help to rebuild lives
Property Council members dug deep in 2017, supporting the efforts of the Property Industry Foundation and laying the foundations for another year helping at-risk and homeless young people.
More than 44,000 young people are homeless each night across Australia. In fact, 43 per cent of Australians without a safe place to sleep are under the age of 25 and 17 per cent are under the age of 12.
This year, the Property Council and its members has raised more than $185,000 through events and by donating to PIF in lieu of speakers’ gifts. Queensland members raised $,000 at the recent Christmas luncheon, while attendees at the annual gala ball in Victoria generously donated $78,000 earlier this year.
And with South Australian property players gathering to celebrate Christmas and raise funds on Friday, the Property Council’s contribution in 2017 may exceed $200,000.
Rosemary Smithson, the Foundation’s chief executive officer, says the property industry’s generosity is truly “lifechanging”.
“Since PIF was established in 1996, we have distributed more than $15 million to build safe accommodation and to assist more than 30 charities to help young people rebuild their lives,” she says.
Funds raised go to a range of projects, and Smithson points to the national PIF House program as an example of real-world impact.
“This year two new PIF Houses opened their doors, which will help 29 young people at any one time,” she says.
In August, PIF House Blacktown opened, with the support of major sponsor Frasers Property Australia. This house is now supporting five young people each night.
In November, PIF House Dundas began supporting up to 24 young people at a time, with thanks to major sponsor Lendlease.
“We are making a tangible difference to the serious and persistent problem of youth homelessness,” Ms Smithson adds.
Among PIF’s other achievements this year is a new playscape in Melbourne’s Fitzroy, brought to life by Watpac and Gallagher Jeffs.
More than 200 young property and construction leaders slept rough in November, raising an additional $1,000 for PIF as part of the national StreetSLEEP event.
And a charity working bee transformed an unused reception area of one charity partner’s property in Melbourne into a fully-functioning barista training facility, that will train many at-risk young people.
“Over the next five years, we are aiming to build another 125 bedrooms for young people who need a safe place to stay.
“The property industry’s contribution over the last few years has been phenomenal. We invite everyone to get involved in 2018 – whether that’s raising money for our National Hard Hat Campaign, volunteering on a project, employing a young person or donating to support the Foundation’s important work,” Ms Smithson concludes.