Homelessness Action, now.

At REA Group, our purpose is to change the way the world experiences property. To do this, we have to be inclusive of those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

We have formed three long-standing partnerships with organisations who know a lot more about homelessness than we do: Launch Housing, Orange Sky Australia, The Big Issue, and Homes for Homes (created by The Big Issue).

We believe that everyone deserves a safe place to sleep - every night.

This week is National Homelessness Week 2024 and the theme is "Homelessness action, now" - we know that ending homelessness is possible, but we have to act together, and we have to act now.

The current state of Homelessness in Australia

The issue of homelessness in Australia is steadily increasing in severity.

• In 2016, there were 116,427 people enumerated in the Census classified as being homeless on Census night, this was up from 102,439 in 2011. In the most recent Census held in 2021, this number was higher again - 122,494.

• 44.1% were female, an increase of 10.1% on 2016

• 14.4% were children under 12 years of age

Specialist homelessness services are overstretched and are unable to meet the rising need for support.

• In 2022/23, 273,600 people were assisted by homelessness services.

• A further 108,000 people sought help, but were turned away because of shortages of staff, accommodation, or other services. That's an average of 295 people turned away each day because services are overstretched.

• 80% of those turned away were women and children, many of whom were fleeing domestic and family violence and forced to choose between returning to an unsafe housing situation and entering homelessness.

What REA Group is doing to help

Our Community Partnerships are intentional, they're experts on the issue of homelessness so we know that our financial and in-kind support is going where it's needed most.

Each of these partnerships represents a point of need within the homelessness cycle:

• Launch Housingdelivers housing and accommodation support. Through the National Rapid Rehousing Fund, Launch works with organisations nationwide to provide safe, and secure housing to those in need.

• Orange Skydelivers community connection and access to often unmet needs like clean laundry and warm showers, ultimately helping to restore a sense of dignity needed to move out of the cycle of homelessness.

• The Big Issueprovides employment opportunities to those for whom traditional employment is not an option, helping break the cycle of homelessness or better yet - prevent people from entering it.

• Homes for homesis an initiative run by The Big Issue, which involves property owners adding a caveat to their title - that when the property is sold, 0.1% will be donated to Homes for homes to be used to fund essential new builds. So far, Homes for Homes has granted over $2m in funding to 22 projects across VIC, NT, QLD, NSW, WA and the ACT. These projects will provide housing for over 300 people.

We support our community partners in a number of ways, including free media placements, lending our audience and voice where possible, fundraising, and sharing our property data to boost community group reporting and to amplify their message. Most recently, we donated $400,000 from our property industry event, Ready24, to our community partners, while highlighting the importance of homelessness among the 1,200 attendees.

What can you do to help?

Specialist Homelessness Services are severely overstretched. The best thing you as an individual can do is lend your time, your voice, and if you're able - donate some money. Any amount of support, big or small, adds up to make an impact.

• Talk about it. Take every opportunity you can to have a conversation. Share on your socials, bring it up at family gatherings, sign up for fundraisers - whatever works for you. The more people who are aware of the situation, the more chance we have of making serious change.

• Think about how you can help. What skills do you have that might be of need? Volunteering doesn't have to be a team activity, if you have skills (even if they feel like common knowledge to you!) please consider reaching out to a homelessness service to see how you can help.

• Consider financial support.We recognise not everyone is able to contribute financially, but if you are - please consider donating. Charities are unable to do the incredible work they do without financial support, and every dollar can make a difference.

Ending homelessness is possible, but we have to act together, and we have to act now.

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