Homes for Homes and PEXA – a partnership to tackle homelessness

By Isabelle Harris

Homelessness in Australia is on the rise. In 2016, the ABS census reported that there were more than 116,000 people without a home, up from approximately 102,500 in 2011.

Notably, the highest rise in people experiencing homelessness was recorded in those between the ages of 25 to 34.

Homelessness can stem from many factors, including family violence, financial difficulties or inadequate supply of affordable dwellings.

Homelessness is not always sleeping rough, but also includes dwellings that lack security or safety, are unstable, or lack privacy and the ability to control the living space.

In an effort to address this nationwide issue, Homes for Homes and PEXA have announced a new funding partnership in a targeted effort to help end homelessness in Australia.

The partnership will see PEXA contribute at least $250,000 in funding to Homes for Homes across two years via a national grant disbursement program.

The funding represents a significant milestone in the work undertaken between the organisations.

Homes for Homes is a social enterprise that asks property owners to donate 0.1% of the sale price of their property to Homes for Homes.

These funds are then pooled and disbursed to community or social and affordable housing providers to increase the housing supply for those who need it most.

Tracy Longo, National Operations Manager at Homes for Homes says the more donations that flow, the more Homes for Homes can do to increase social and affordable housing supply.

“We have found through our grant funding program that Homes for Homes can be the difference between a project being feasible, and a project not being able to get off the shelf because it just doesn’t have the funding behind it” she says.

To date, more than $940,000 has been raised across eight projects, with the not-for-profit on track to raise over $1 billion for social and affordable housing over the next 30 years.

PEXA, Australia’s leading digital property settlement platform, began embedding the Homes for Homes donation mechanism into its technology in 2018, helping to grow the program’s scope by using its wide audience and subscriber base.

Steven Persson, Homes for Homes CEO said Homes for Homes is thrilled to see PEXA extend their support during a very crucial time for social and affordable housing.

“More than ever, a collaborative, sustainable solution is needed to end homelessness in Australia, and we commend PEXA for taking great industry leadership by committing to help solve this issue,” he said.

“Homes for Homes will distribute this funding to community housing providers through a robust governance framework, meaning more people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage nationally will get to experience safe, secure and permanent housing.”

PEXA CEO Glenn King said the organisation is passionate about extending help to put roofs over the heads of some of Australia’s most vulnerable.

“PEXA is excited to evolve our partnership with Homes for Homes to build a unique shared value program that brings together our employees, members and government partners to assist in solving a significant social issue facing our country,” he said.

“We spend our days focused on getting people into their homes, and tackling homelessness is an important and necessary extension of that work.” To get involved in Homes for Homes, contact them via their website.