World Homelessness Day sees Zango agents turn purple for a good cause

Home.byHolly principal Holly Komorowski is wearing purple to raise awareness and funds for homeless people. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

Real estate agents and property managers across Canberra turned purple on 10 October for World Homelessness Day for “A Good Cause” raising awareness and funds for Canberra’s homeless community through local charity Hands Across Canberra.

“Homelessness is something no-one should have to live through in Australia,” said McIntyre Property principal Col McIntyre, whose agents and property managers participated in the event.

“All of our real estate team and property management team participated, and on the day we were all wearing purple, and we did an auction wearing our Zango shirts.”

Zango managing director Ben Faulks said the event was a success and raised more than $10,000 for Hands Across Canberra to distribute to homeless organisations in Canberra.

“Ten dollars for every open home and property inspection was donated by participating agents and property managers – raising $5250,” said Mr Faulks. “Zango is matching that amount to contribute to Hands Across Canberra, making the overall funds raised more than $10,000.”

Maria Selleck, from Maria Selleck Properties, said owners and tenants were enthusiastic about seeing their agents and property managers in purple and fundraising to support the cause.

“It went very well,” she said. “People reacted well, and the owners were happy and excited about it.

“People asked about the purple shirts and we explained why we were wearing them. It was great for a first time out and we should do it again.”

On any given night in Canberra, up to 1800 people are without a home to go to, with 28 per cent of those people under the age of 18 according to Homelessness Australia.

Mr Faulks said supporting people who are homeless is pertinent for the real estate industry.

“Hands Across Canberra is all about activating Canberrans to donate, and Zango is all about activating agents and real estate agencies to bring them together to support our community,” he said.

“Being in the real estate industry, supporting those who are homeless to find shelter seems relevant and appropriate.”

Home.byHolly principal Holly Komorowski said she is alarmed by the number of women experiencing homelessness in Canberra.

“If you look at the statistics, there’s a high number of women who are homeless in Canberra,” she said. “It’s an alarming statistic and we are happy to do all we can to support the fundraising effort.

“People were interested in knowing about the cause, and it was an easy, but important, thing to do to show people we support the cause. It’s a real issue in Canberra.

“To be raising money for that and to bring attention to it is really important.”

Of Canberra’s homeless community, more than half are women aged between 25 and 34 years. Homeless men are more likely to be sleeping rough, but the majority of both men and women are either in overcrowded housing or sleeping on a friend or family member’s couch.

If you would like to make a donation in support of World Homelessness Day, visit Hands Across Canberra. Corporate donations can be made through Hands Across Canberra’s corporate giving program.