Homes for Homes handing over a cheque for $200,000 to Marymead CatholicCare Canberra. Photo: Supplied.
A not-for-profit initiative that gets people to voluntarily donate 0.1 per cent of their property sale has now funded more than $1 million worth of social housing projects in the ACT.
Homes for Homes, created by homeless support magazine Big Issue, recently granted $200,000 to affordable housing provider Marymead CatholicCare Canberra. The funds will be used to develop Pete’s Place, which will provide transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness, including children leaving foster care.
Any residential or commercial property owner can register online with Homes for Homes to pledge to donate 0.1 per cent of their dwelling whenever it is sold. These tax-deductible donations are then pooled together and given to different providers to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.
“It’s an idea that came out of California, where there is a lot of homelessness,” Homes for Homes chief operating officer Tracy Longo said.
“There was a developer, Jeff Roos, who decided to donate a small amount from every sale and encouraged others to do the same. Homes for Homes has taken the idea and made it a national concept in Australia. It was launched in the ACT in 2015.”
According to the latest census, there were just under 1800 homeless people in the ACT in 2021, an 11 per cent increase since 2016.
“We would encourage every Canberran to register with Homes for Homes because this is such a significant, growing issue … it’s money you’ve never tangibly had in the first place in your back pocket and it makes such a big difference for those who are homeless,” Ms Longo said.
Homes for Homes has now funded more than $1.1 million worth of projects in the ACT. Photo: Supplied.
Landlords and tenants can also commit to donating 0.1 per cent of ongoing rental income, which is also pooled to address homelessness.
In total, Homes for Homes grant rounds have seen more than $2 million in funding granted to 22 social and affordable housing projects across the ACT, Victoria, Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory. These projects will provide housing for over 300 people.
An expert, industry-based advisory group in each jurisdiction helps decide which projects get the funding.
“There is a lengthy due diligence process, which is something our donors would expect,” Ms Longo said.
Homes for Homes CEO Steven Persson said the grant round represents another powerful step towards ending homelessness across Australia.
“Homes for Homes is a whole-of-community approach to one of the most critical social issues we face as a country. We’re excited to continue our funding in the ACT and support the creation of a new social and affordable housing project.
“Reaching $1.1 million in funds granted in the ACT is an incredible milestone, and we thank everyone who has helped us so far. We look forward to continuing our work of providing safe, secure housing for all and hope that the ACT community can keep supporting our mission of creating a nation without homelessness.”
Homes for Homes says it is on track to raise more than $1 billion Australia-wide for social and affordable housing over the next 30 years.
You can register your property to support this project by visiting Homes for Homes
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