Doing it for the kids

Last year, AVID partnered with the Property Industry Foundation, using our industry presence to support the charity on a deeper level.

AVID’s contribution will continue in 2023!

Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne Sailing Regattas!

Last year, AVID partnered with the Property Industry Foundation, using our industry presence with greater Property Industry to support the charity on a deeper level. These Sailing Regattas raised in excess of $355,000 to ass ist the Foundation’s charity work for homeless youth.

Hard Hat Day

13 AVID construction sites participated in fundraising initiative, Hard Hat Day, that sees tradies lower their tools to raise awareness and donations for youth homelessness.

30-day Fitness Challenge

AVID raised further donations from the Foundation’s 30-day fitness challenge, totalling more than $53,000 in donations so far.

Gala Dinner

We supported the Property Industry Foundation’s 25th Gala Dinner, which saw $957,750 raised for The Haven Project.

Furniture Fund

AVID Property Group donated 39 pieces of sales and display furniture to the Foundation’s furniture fund and saved 901kg of material from entering landfill.

Homelessness is one of the most pressing societal issues in Australia. Every night, there are 44,000 young Australians that don’t have a safe and secure place to sleep. Sadly, not every young person is able to live with their family and for many, foster families are not available. The Property Industry Foundation exists to solve this issue and provide a safe and secure place for homeless youth to rebuild their lives.

Kate Mills is CEO of the Property Industry Foundation. She leads an industry-wide collaboration that has a tangible impact on youth homelessness by raising funds, building accommodation, and providing ongoing support for homes where young people can live safely. The initiative brings together the property and construction industry to build homes for homeless youth through the Foundation’s flagship home building program – the Haven Project.

Kate explains when the Property Industry Foundation commits to building for a charity, it raises funds for the entire build via fundraising events, corporate, and individual donations. As the property and construction industry’s charity, the Foundation approaches major house builders to construct the house on a pro bono basis. These builders then utilise their supply chain to contribute in-kind or discounted labour and goods – a unique model that relies on support directly within the property and construction industry.

Property industry pitches in

One of The Property Industry Foundation’s charity partners, Stepping Stone House, approached Kate in 2020 with a neglected house in Dulwich Hill, Sydney, wanting to turn it into medium term accommodation for five young people.

“We were quick to jump on board with this project, and as soon as we got the go ahead we worked with our property sponsors who spearheaded the renovation of both indoors and the landscape to turn what was a shell of a house into a home,” Kate said.

“It was only possible by support from our property partners who donated time, materials, and money to get this project off the ground – literally!

“We rely entirely on the property industry to support these housing initiatives, and we saw this come together perfectly, right down to the kitchen appliances supplied by Harvey Norman. It’s given these young people the tools to learn about healthy eating and given them the space in which they can spend quality time together to cook. The lounge, dining and garden furniture was kindly donated by King Living, which will provide a much-needed area for the housemates to connect and relax.”

Haven House Dulwich Hill was opened in December 2021 and is now a home to five young people, supported by one Stepping Stone House youth worker who lives in-house to offer transitional support. “We have achieved a lot over the last 25 years, but we know there is so much more still to do. Our goal is to build 300 bedrooms for homeless youth by 2025. To date we’ve delivered 229 bedrooms, which is an extra 229 bedrooms available for homeless youth. For some, it will offer refuge for a night, for others it might be for a year, but for everyone who gets to call a house their home, it provides a chance to have an ordinary life,” she said.

For more information go to www.pif.com.au