In December 2016, single mother Jo was given 60 days to vacate her rental home as it was due for sale. With Christmas so close and most businesses already closed for the holidays, she was shattered and concerned about finding a new place to rent.

She tried to persuade the land agent to give an extension but received no response to her requests. She started the search for a new home for her small family by applying for public housing and searching for homeless shelters, and in this process found HomeGround Real Estate (HGRE).

Jo applied for the Affordable Housing Initiative and was granted a property at sub market rent. Moving into her new home was a relief and she was finally able to breathe easy.

She started planning for the future, reassured that she no longer needed new schooling arrangements for her two sons aged 10 and 13.

Jo says, “With housing no longer an issue, I was able to resume normal daily functions and perform at work without the nagging worry of homelessness.”

She says that access to a suitable property with HomeGround Real Estate has given her stability at so many different levels.

Her boys were able to continue to access the quality schools, programs and facilities in the area she lived, and her older son was able to start his first year in his chosen high school as planned.

More importantly they were able to be close to their support network of friends and neighbours.

HomeGround Real Estate provides rental providers and renters with professional property management services. For Jo, the difference in customer service and professionalism shown by staff is pleasantly surprising.

Having experienced the opposite with mainstream real estate agencies she notes that HomeGround Real Estate staff are respectful and treat people with dignity.

Jo says the agency provides professional real estate services with heart, and property managers promptly respond to enquiries and maintenance requests.

“[HomeGround Real Estate is a] progressive ever-evolving organisation that networks with organisations and individuals in our community to bring together precious resource in delivering relevant, real-world and life changing solutions to the ever growing issue of homelessness.”  – Jo, HGRE Renter

The Home Ground Real Estate model is an innovative model designed to increase affordable housing supply in the community and address the growing issue of homelessness.

As a social enterprise operated by Launch Housing, HGRE partners with the community members to provide more housing for those in a crisis.

A recent partnership with Yarra Trams through their inaugural Community Partnerships Program has provided new opportunities for us to collaborate on solutions to end homelessness.

Learn more about the Yarra Trams Community Partnership.

You may have seen the HomeGround Real Estate ads which showcase how “We manage your property, you make a difference” by listing with a not-for-profit real estate agency.

HomeGround Real Estate was recently selected for Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program along with seven other community organisations championing diversity and inclusion in Melbourne. The program provides a share of $1 million in free advertising to not-for-profit organisations that promote diversity, inclusion and make a positive impact.

“We are excited to be part of this inaugural program and are so grateful for the generosity of Yarra Trams,” said Heather Holst, Launch Housing Acting CEO. “We are always looking for rental providers to list their properties with us so we can provide more housing options for people who need it most. We hope this serves as a platform to inform Melburnians about how they can help end homelessness through our not-for-profit real estate agency.”

The tram face advertising has been seen on the Yarra Trams system since May and will coincide with Homelessness Week August 6 – 12.

“People rely on Melbourne’s tram network to get them to the places they need to go, and the Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program enables us to extend our support for the community we serve beyond our passengers’ journeys,” said Yarra Trams CEO Nicolas Gindt.“We are building strong relationships with our community partners, including HomeGround Real Estate, that champion diversity and inclusion in Melbourne every day.”

How does HomeGround Real Estate Make a Difference for Victorians?

More than 116,000 Australians experience homelessness on any given night so providing solutions to connect people with more affordable housing is paramount.  HomeGround Real Estate works closely with our partners such as Yarra Trams to build strong relationships with community organisations and assist individuals with affordable housing.

As a social enterprise operated by Launch Housing, HomeGround Real Estate provides rental providers and renters with professional property management services. The property management fees rental providers pay are then invested back into Launch Housing’s affordable housing solutions.

For lower income earners the lack of affordable housing can lead to stress with the pressure of unsustainable rental payments and the uncertainty of temporary living arrangements.

That’s why HomeGround Real Estate also gives socially conscious rental providers the opportunity to offer a discount on the market rent to low income households while receiving professional property management services.

Even a 10% discount on market rent can make a big difference to a person or household on a low income by creating more affordable housing in Melbourne. HomeGround Real Estate works closely with renters and rental providers to ensure a successful tenancy for both parties.

Plus, for HomeGround Real Estate rental providers who have listed property at a discounted rental rate the Australian Tax Office has made a class ruling to let them claim the gap as a tax deduction at the end of financial year.

HomeGround Real Estate Rental Provider Philip Endersbee says, “It’s an opportunity for those fortunate enough to be property owners to be part of something bigger, something which can change lives and have a lasting impact”.

Have a property? Contact HomeGround Real Estate to find out more call 9288 9800 or email realestate@homeground.org.au.

HomeGround Real Estate, a division of Launch Housing, is calling on owners of empty properties in the municipality to return 1,000 homes to the rental market.

Despite the current housing affordability crisis, more than 7,000 homes in the City of Melbourne municipality remain empty according to City of Melbourne demographic data 2013*. Returning just 14 per cent, or 1,000 homes, to the rental market would make a big difference to the growing number of people who struggle to find an affordable home in Melbourne.

HomeGround Real Estate is a not-for-profit real estate agency run by Launch Housing, one of Melbourne’s largest providers of housing and homelessness services. The innovative social enterprise aims to increase the stock of affordable housing for clients throughout Melbourne, securing affordable properties for low income renters, including women and children escaping family violence.

Launch Housing Deputy CEO Dr Heather Holst said property owners leave homes empty for a variety of reasons but listing the properties with HomeGround Real Estate could make a big difference.

“More and more people on lower incomes are at risk of homelessness due to the lack of affordable rental properties in Melbourne. If you have an empty property in the City of Melbourne municipality please talk to us about bringing it back on to the rental market. It could make a huge difference to someone’s life.

“The benefits are huge. People who have otherwise been priced out of the market are offered more affordable private rental, and HomeGround Real Estate offers rental providers expert property and tenancy management services that give them peace of mind, the opportunity to contribute to those in need of housing, and a ‘social return’ on their negotiated, discounted rental fee.”

The City of Melbourne made a one-off grant of $150,000, from its $2 million Pathways Innovation Package, to HomeGround Real Estate to contribute to activities that will increase the number of rental properties that are available to people experiencing homelessness within the municipality.

*Data source City of Melbourne Small Demographic Profile Reports https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-melbourne/research-and-statistics/Pages/city-residents.aspx

ENDS

To arrange an interview or photo opportunity:

Please contact Dara Peskin, Marketing and Communications Lead Launch Housing 0419 347 114 or email Dara.KahnPeskin@launchhousing.org.au

Spokespeople available for interview are:

• Launch Housing – Dr Heather Holst, Deputy CEO, Launch Housing
• A rental provider who has a listed property with HomeGround Real Estate
• A current HomeGround Real Estate renter

BACKGROUND/FAST FACTS

• HomeGround Real Estate, a division of Launch Housing, is an innovative social enterprise aimed at increasing the stock of affordable housing for our clients throughout Melbourne.
• It is a not-for-profit property and tenancy management business and real estate rental agency.
• The unique model is a win-win for rental providers and renters alike:
  • People who have otherwise been priced out of the market are offered more affordable private rental.
  • HomeGround Real Estate offers rental providers expert property and tenancy management services that give them peace of mind, the opportunity to contribute to those in need of housing, and a ‘social return’ on their property investment (a negotiated, discounted rental fee).
  • The difference between the market return and the discounted return may be tax deductible.
• To date, HomeGround Real Estate has secured more than 300 affordable properties for low-income renters, including women and children escaping family violence.
• What our rental providers and renters say:
  • “There was no reason to leave my previous real estate company – I was satisfied with the service. Choosing HomeGround Real Estate was a moral and ethical decision – I wanted to make my choice count.” —Stephen, rental providers
  • “HomeGround Real Estate gave me the opportunity to move on with my life and rebuild. I had been homeless for over one year. My daughter and I slept on couches and in unsafe housing. I had left a violent and abusive home but didn’t have a rental history. Even though I was working and had owned my own home I couldn’t provide rental references so I wasn’t able to get ininto the private rental market.” —Rachel, renter.
• For more information visit:
  • com.au

Tax Ruling Information for Rental Providers

What is the ATO ruling?

The Australian Tax Office has made a class ruling that allows rental providers who list their property with us at a discounted rental rate to claim the gap as a tax deduction at the end of financial year.

How does it work?

At the end of financial year HomeGround Real Estate will provide you with all of the documents you need to do your tax return – including a tax deductable donation receipt for the amount of rent you have deducted to provide a more affordable property to renters. For example, if your property is worth $550 at market rent and you decide to list at lower rental rate of $450. We will provide you with a donation receipt for $5200, this is made up of the $100 per week in rent you have foregone and you will receive a receipt Launch Housing (our parent organisation) with the total amount.

How does it benefit me?

• The tax ruling is not designed as a financial incentive but it does recognise your contribution by allows you to claim the gap between market rent and any discount you decide to offer.
• HomeGround Real Estate is a social enterprise of Launch Housing –one of Melbourne’s largest providers of housing support services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our mission is to end homelessness and our not-for-profit real estate agency is an innovative model assisting us in creating more affordable housing for Victorians.
• For rental providers choosing to list their property with us at market rate and only use our property management services. When you list your property with us the management fees go into supporting Launch Housing homelessness services.
• If you choose to list your property at a discount of just 10% off the market rent you can make housing affordable for Victorians who are otherwise priced out of the market and at risk of homelessness.
• Please contact your financial adviser or tax accountant for more detailed advice on how this ruling might apply to you and your financial situation. Here is a link to the ATO ruling online that your accountant/adviser can refer to https://www.ato.gov.au/law/view/pdf/pbr/cr2016-042.pdf

Full article here.

Homelessness and housing support agency Launch Housing looked into what Australians are saying about homelessness and housing. Acting CEO Dr Heather Holst says the research shows “people are concerned about homelessness, they are concerned about housing affordability and they are concerned that not enough is being done.”

As an enterprise of Launch Housing, HomeGround Real Estate gives property owners the chance to give back and contribute to the housing crisis in Melbourne. Click here for more information.

Heather and Belinda sat down with ABC Radio National’s Michael Mackenzie to discuss where HomeGround Real Estate is at just over two years after launching. They break down our different tiers of management, bust some negative gearing myths, explain our relationship with realestate.com.au and share an update on the national rollout!

https://ab.co/1XlK2iS