‘A wake-up call we can’t ignore’: the group turning awareness into action on homelessness – realestate.com.au

Helping Australians buy and rent homes is everyday work for the team at The Agency, but director Andrew Jensen says it’s also a reality that’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Like many Australians, the fact that the crisis was largely hidden was a wake-up call for Mr Jensen.

“There is so much more to this crisis than what we see,” Jensen said.

Most people are out of sight – sleeping in cars, on couches or in temporary rooms with no certainty about what comes next – and about one in 10 Australians were at risk.

That realization was a key factor in The Agency’s entry into the A House for Everyone Foundationa national initiative uniting the real estate industry to use its size, influence and relationships to raise awareness, raise funds and support long-term change.

“We have more than 800 real estate professionals who see firsthand the impact that safe housing has,” said Mr. Jensen.

“It’s time we use our voices and our actions to give homelessness the attention it deserves.”

Mr Jensen has spent almost 18 years in the industry and said he had never seen it this tough.

“The pressure is increasing nationally,” he said.

“Affordability is under pressure and population growth is creating enormous pressure. If we do nothing, things will get worse before they get better. We are privileged to be able to help and we must do so.”

His message to colleagues is clear: “If you’re in housing, you’re part of the solution. We’re proud to join others in our industry and use our platform to effect change.”

The foundation’s first campaign, A night without a homeruns throughout the month of October and invites individuals and teams from across the sector to give up the comforts of home for one night and raise money for frontline charities through the foundation’s industry-led advisory committee.

All money raised for the A Home For All Foundation this financial year will go to charities working to support people experiencing homelessness due to family and domestic violence.

For The Agency, this means participating in a way that highlights the hidden face of homelessness.

“Many of our team members, including myself, will be sleeping in our cars overnight to raise awareness,” Mr Jensen said.

“For too many Australians that is not a choice, it is their only option.”

The majority of people experiencing homelessness couch surf, sleep in cars or move from one temporary accommodation to another. Image: supplied

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Mr. Jensen also sees a critical role for consistent, day-to-day advocacy.

“The more noise we make, the better,” he said.

“We are selling approximately 8,000 homes this year, which is roughly 16,000 people we communicate with. There is an opportunity for us every day to spread the message. The sector as a whole needs to get involved.”

Across the country, The Agency gives back in ways that matter locally; sponsoring junior sports, supporting schools, supporting community groups and charities – and as a company it supports a range of charities that have personal meaning to the team.

“This quarter we made charitable support a focus as part of living our value of doing what’s right, every time,” said Mr. Jensen.

“It reminds us that doing the right thing is not just something we say, but also something we do.”

“We’re seeing more people moving to regional cities. Affordability pressures are driving these decisions – another reason to keep the conversation going so we understand where help is needed.”

More than 122,000 Australians don’t have a safe place to call home on any given night. Image: supplied

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Mr. Jensen doesn’t pretend the solution is simple, but he is clear about the first step: turning awareness into action.

“A night without a home is one night; the promise lasts all year round – we must find alternatives so that fewer Australians are holed up in cars or temporary rooms, and more Australians have a safe place to call home,” he said.

It is also personal for Mr. Jensen.

“I have three young children and I think about the future they will inherit,” he said.

“I want them to grow up in a country that refuses to look away and supports real solutions. That is the goal we stand for.”