Property and construction leaders will embark on a two-day trek through Queensland’s Scenic Rim to raise awareness for Australia’s growing youth homelessness crisis.

Walk Against Homelessness will take place on 22-23 October with 17 property industry executives ending the journey at the Property Council of Australia’s Property Congress to raise awareness of the need for accessible social housing investment.

In addition to raising awareness, the walk will contribute funds towards Haven House South Dowling, the Property Industry Foundation’s largest youth housing project to date, entirely funded by the property industry.

“Homelessness is a complex and wicked problem with no single cause and no single solution. It requires a multi-agency, government, and private industry response,” said Kate Mills, CEO Property Industry Foundation.

“The Walk Against Homelessness provides these industry leaders with an opportunity to actively contribute to solutions for the youth homelessness crisis and we’re thrilled to see so many of Australia’s major companies consolidate the industry’s commitment.”

Leading into the Property Congress, a major industry conference, the walk highlights the Property Council’s efforts to advocate for more affordable housing options and address accommodation supply issues that contribute to homelessness.

Property Council Chief Executive Ken Morrison said the Walk Against Homelessness initiative gives the property industry an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact homelessness has on people and our communities.

“It is encouraging to see senior leaders from throughout the property industry band together on such a crucial topic, culminating in our premier industry event, the Property Congress.”

Group Training Walks

Some of the Sydney walkers got together to walk the Sydney foreshore just before work one morning.

Left to right: Penny Ransom, Lendlease; Neil Harding, ADCO Constructions; Kate Mills & Claudia Ferrari, Property Industry Foundation; Bob Johnston, The GPT Group; and Ken Morrison, Property Council of Australia

Walking to Work

Kate Mills, Property Industry Foundation is taking herself out for a walk two or three times during the week by walking at least an hour into work.

Drenka Andjelic, Construction Assignments on top of Mt Bruce, Karijini WA.

Pete King, VFMC and Kiki Lai, Manulife training in Melbourne #sportingcapitaloftheworld!

Neil Harding, ADCO Constructions hiking the Sydney coastline. The harbour city at it’s best.

Phil Rowland, CBRE, is walking against homelessness this October

Phil Rowland, CEO Australia & New Zealand, CBRE did not hesitate to get involved and be part of the Walk Against Homelessness on 22-23 October 2022.

He is part of a group of 17 industry leaders who are hiking for two days across the Queensland Pacific Rim, ending the journey at the Property Council of Australia’s Property Congress.

“To join the Walk Against Homelessness is a real privilege and a way for me to make a small personal contribution to the Foundation and raise awareness across our company of such a critical issue in our society,” said Rowland.

“The Property Industry Foundation represents a core pillar of CBRE’s Property with Purpose strategy, aiming to engage and support important social causes in Australia,” said Rowland.

“I have had the pleasure of visiting a few homes that the Property Industry Foundation has built for homeless youth, most recently in Western Sydney,” said Rowland. “In this specific case, to hear the stories of the young indigenous youths who had a stable, safe, and warm environment to live and pursue their studies was very inspiring. Just one house can have such a big impact on many young people and give them the support they need to get a fair and proper start in life.”

“Giving back is an opportunity to step out of the day-to-day bubble we often find ourselves in. It’s an opportunity to learn and reflect more deeply on a social issue such as youth homelessness and gives me the opportunity to leverage the privileged position I’m in to make a small difference,”

Phil Rowland, CEO Australia & New Zealand, CBRE

Kiki Lai, Manulife Investment Management is putting the “Impact Agenda” front and centre this month

Kiki Lai, Managing Director, Real Estate Portfolio Management, Asia, Manulife Investment Management has chosen the Walk Against Homelessness on 22-23 October 2022 as her first fundraiser for the Property Industry Foundation.

“Having a safe and secure shelter over your head is the basic human need and should be a right accessible to all. It is disheartening to learn that every night 44,000 young Australians are homeless, and one in three seeking accommodation are being turned away,” said Kiki, “I felt that as an industry we can, and should, do more.”

Kiki is part of a group of 17 industry leaders who are hiking the two-day Scenic Rim Trail which is in the South East Queensland’s Main Range National Park, an area famous for its stunning mountains, ridges, escarpments, ancient rainforest and volcanic plateaus.

The group will walk through a region that contains more than 30,000 hectares of nature refuges, states forests and national parks, ending the journey at the Property Council of Australia’s Property Congress.

Taking part in the Walk Against Homelessness is both a personal and professional opportunity to empower sustained health and well-being to support the journey towards a better life.

“Non nobis solum ‘not for ourselves alone’ was the school motto held dearly in my heart, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to make a small contribution in paying it forward.”

Kiki Lai, Managing Director, Real Estate Portfolio Management, Asia,
Manulife Investment Management

“I witnessed and experienced all forms of kindness settling into a place we could call home, opportunity to a good education and grew up with very supportive communities.

“This initiative strikes a chord not only to me personally, but it aligns well with Manulife’s social commitments under our ‘Impact Agenda’.

“As a health and wealth company, staying true to our mission of making decisions easier and lives better through our Impact Agenda is how we create long-term value for our business, our communities, and the planet. It’s how we all win.”

A Marathon Effort

Kylie O’ Connor, AMP Head of Real Estate, ran the full Melbourne Marathon on Sunday 2 October. She took the 42.2km course in her stride, crossing the line in an impressive three hours and 54 minutes. “I made it!” Kylie said after the run, which looped through the city and finished with a victory lap of the MCG. “Melbourne put on the most spectacular day and it was a fantastic course. Thanks for the support and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone for the Walk for Homelessness in a couple of weeks!”

Bush Hikes

Some of our Walk for Homelessness crew went out bush to clock up the kays for their Pacific Rim fundraising walk on 22-23 October. AdCO MD Neil Harding atoned for holiday indulgence with a 10km wilderness hike. “Did a 10km Grade 4 walk this morning with my wife and training partner,” reported Neil. “Felt every kilometre after a week over indulging in Fiji!”  

Dale Connor, CEO Lendlease, took a 5km hike in Brisbane. “A nice day in Brisbane for a 5km hike. Getting there!” enthused Dale.

Melbourne turned on a stunning day for a city amble for Pete King, VFMC Head of Property. “It was a beautiful morning and training spot in Studley Park on the Yarra today,” he shared. “I thought I’d also share an old hiking tip – trim your toe nails a week before a hike so they don’t jam into new (or old) boots, especially on downhill sections! Cheers!”

The coast proved popular for maintaining mileage, with Property Council of Australia CEO Ken Morrison taking on hilly 10km and two 5km walks in stunning Nelson Bay.

Drenka Andjelic, Construction Assignments Managing Director joined a pod of dolphins for a hike on Callala Beach, the longest beach in Jervis Bay, on the beautiful NSW South Coast. “I did just under 10km on Callala Beach with this happy pod to keep me company!”

Meanwhile, Charter Hall Office CEO Carmel Hourigan conquered the spectacular but challenging terrain of Passage Peak on Hamilton Island in a speedy 28 minutes, enjoying breathtaking views of the Whitsundays from the highest point of the island.

The challenges of the past few years have inspired Deborah Coakley to Walk Against Homelessness with her property peers.

Deborah Coakley, Dexus, believes adversity has the power to unite communities for the greater good. “If the last few years of floods, drought and the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that our collective action is the key to tackling society’s biggest challenges,” says Deborah.

“Supporting the Property Industry Foundation on the Pacific Rim Walk Against Homelessness was an opportunity for me to join my property peers in driving true impact; raising funds and awareness to shelter the most vulnerable.”

Haven House South Dowling will be entirely funded by the property industry and provides 19 bedrooms for vulnerable young Aussies. “With 44,000 young Australians deprived of a safe and secure place to sleep every night, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the extent of homelessness existing in our communities,” says Deborah.

“The Property Industry Foundation’s aim to build 300 bedrooms by 2025 is a tangible goal towards addressing this issue. Having a space to call home is core to determining an individual’s future success and wellbeing, so it seems logical that the property industry, with its wealth of knowledge and resources, is a major contributor in addressing this issue.”

“If the last few years of floods, drought and the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that our collective action is the key to tackling society’s biggest challenges,”

Deborah Coakley, Executive General Manager Funds Management, Dexus

Today at the Property Congress in the Gold Coast, Walk Against Homelessness participants, Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills, Queensland Investment Corporation Managing Director Michael O’Brien, and Dexus Executive General Manager Funds Management Deborah Coakley spoke about their two-day trek through Queensland’s Scenic Rim to raise much-needed funds and awareness for Australia’s growing youth homelessness crisis.

The two-day trek, Walk Against Homelessness, saw 16 property and construction leaders smash their fundraising goal and raise over $270,000 for the Property Industry Foundation’s largest youth housing project, Haven House South Dowling, which will provide an additional 19-bedrooms where young people can rebuild their lives.

“It requires a multi-agency, government, and private industry response. More housing that is accessible is essential to ending homelessness and the property and construction industry has a key role to play here.”

Following on from last night’s Federal Budget, we hope there is even more scope for all of us to make a tangible impact on this issue.

The Foundation’s Haven Project provides homes for homeless youth around Australia, Haven House South Dowling will be its flagship project and will provide an additional 19 bedrooms that will be operated by The Salvation Army.

Over the project’s lifetime, Haven House South Dowling is expected to provide shelter to thousands of young Australians.