Local family-owned construction and property development company Balcon Group has raised $100,000 to assist Homes for Homes to create more social and affordable housing in Victoria.

Over 116,000 people in Australia are homeless, and 44,000 of these people are children. Another 1.5 million Australians face housing stress. Homes for Homes is a non-for-profit organisation that is working to increase the supply of more affordable and social housing. Land and home sellers donate 0.1% of their property sale price, the donations are pooled and granted to community housing providers to increase the supply of social and affordable housing, helping to house those in need.

Balcon Group, a local family-owned construction and development company, committed to donating the 0.1% the sale price from every house sold in their master-planned community Orana in Clyde North, to Homes for Homes. Orana has 4,500 lots: 872 lots have been sold, of which 391 have already titled, and the figure donated to Homes for Homes has reached an amazing $100,000.

Balcon Group prides itself on being a small business that creates affordable and sustainable communities for residents. Orana is Balcon Group’s second master-planned community, the first being Ambrosia in Cranbourne West. Jason Shaw of Balcon Group says, ‘Balcon is proud of the partnership that has been established with Homes for Homes and delighted that the milestone of $100,000 in direct donations has been achieved. The partnership is a great example of how like-minded organisations from the private and not-for-profit sector can work together to achieve practical outcomes that help people unable to access safe and secure housing. Housing accessibility and affordability are critical issues in the City of Casey and Balcon is pleased to be able to make a positive contribution through its Orana community in Clyde North.’

Balcon Group is proud to partner with Homes for Homes to alleviate homelessness and supporting residents of Casey and Melbourne. They also support organisations such as Maddie’s Vision, The Florey Institute Motor Neurone Disease Research, Cabrini Hospital and is a foundation partner of the City of Casey Bunjil Place Community Arts fund.

‘Balcon are forward thinkers, and have demonstrated incredible leadership and commitment in supporting Homes for Homes. We are proud to partner with them and thank all the residents of Orana for coming together to solve homelessness; this donation of $100,000 will be used to create housing for those in need of a safe and secure place to live,” said Homes for Homes CEO Steven Persson.

About Homes for Homes

Homes for Homes is an independent, not-for-profit organisation created by Australia’s largest and most successful social enterprise, The Big Issue, to generate funds to tackle Australia’s chronic shortage of more than 600,000 social and affordable homes by raising money through donations from property sales.

Due to a severe lack of funding, the shortage is projected to grow to one million properties by 2036. Homes for Homes raises funds through donors, both individuals and developers, agreeing to register their property, which enables a tax-deductible donation of 0.1% of the property’s sale price (or monthly rent) to be donated to Homes for Homes. These donations are pooled and are granted to community housing providers to increase the supply of social affordable housing across Australia.

For more information, please visit homesforhomes.org.au

Homes for Homes is on track to raise more than $1 billion for social and affordable housing over the next 30 years.