The Property Industry Foundation have partnered with charity ReLove to furnish new builds and refurbishments through The Haven Project in NSW.
ReLove provides quality rescued furniture and household items at no-cost, directly to people in crisis, including young people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. “ReLove was established to help break the cycle of poverty for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness by supporting their transition into safe housing,” explains Co-Founder, Ben Stammer.
Alongside addressing critical social needs, ReLove keeps furniture and other useful items out of landfill which supports the environment. “We have developed a circular economy model to address a critical social issue. At the heart of ReLove is our Free Store, a welcoming space where people in crisis can ‘shop’ for everything they need to furnish their homes at no cost.”
A place to call home
The Foundation and ReLove share the belief that ‘making a house a home’ is a vital step in helping vulnerable young people rebuild their confidence and self-worth in a new living space. “We offer the dignity of choice, allowing our clients to select the items that will help turn their new house into a home,” says Ben. “We also ensure a smooth transition by delivering and setting up everything the very next day.”
ReLove exists to help people restart their lives, with the agency to choose how they want to live. “My Co-Founder, Ren Fernando and I started ReLove during the Covid pandemic, connecting surplus furniture to a women’s refuge, aiming to rehome five families,” says Ben. “Nearly four years later, we’ve helped over 2,000 families, and the need continues to grow.”
A natural partnership
ReLove discovered the Foundation’s work through mutual connections within the property and construction sector and youth-focused organisations. “ReLove sources furniture at scale from property industry defits, and we’ve had many Property Industry Foundation supporters volunteering with ReLove,” says Ben. “Given the focus on supporting youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness, ReLove and the Foundation have a natural partnership.”
Ben and the ReLove team hope to make deeper connections with the Property Industry Foundation community through a flourishing partnership. “ReLove encourages the Foundation and its community to volunteer to help organise the ReLove Free Store, walk alongside clients as they shop for everything they need to get set up, and help people move into their new safe homes.”
