Not for profit real estate agency to launch this year

Jennifer DukeDecember 7, 2020

HomeGround's mission is simple: "to get people housed and to keep people housed". 

Their website notes they will do this by developing innovative housing models, advocating for systems change and providing housing and support services across Melbourne.

One of these plans, it seems, is to develop a not for profit real estate agency calling on the goodness of property investors and owners from across Victoria.

Property owners will be given three options - to lease at full market value, at a reduced rent or for free, with profits to go into helping the homeless, according to The ABC.

However, are investors likely to put their property up for this? While Zoe Vale, HomeGround Services, said that they've had a "lot of enquiry" from interested property owners, it's unclear how many will jump onboard and become participants in the philanthropic project.

CEO of HomeGround, Dr Heather Holst, said that the private rental market is the largest supplier of housing for their clients, but also the greatest barrier - simply not being an affordable, sustainable option for people on low incomes.

“It is simply not acceptable that in Victoria alone more than 6,000 extra people attended homelessness services seeking help," said Holst.

The real estate agency will include property managers and a shopfront in Collingwood, and is said to be launched in early-2014 (by March). They note that their team has over 15 years of experience managing in excess of 300 tenancies throughout Melbourne.

jduke@propertyobserver.com.au

Jennifer Duke

Jennifer Duke was a property writer at Property Observer

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