LandAid, the property industry charity, has launched a new campaign to encourage businesses to help turn empty properties into homes for young people facing homelessness. The Sponsor a Home’ scheme aims to bring 30 derelict buildings in the UK back into use as safe and affordable accommodation.
Participating businesses will be partnered with a local empty home and will have a year to fundraise a minimum of £30,000 to transform the building. As part of its movement to end youth homelessness, LandAid aims to raise £1 million in sponsorship over the next two years in order to renovate 30 disused homes. With over 200,000 homes currently standing empty in England and millions of families on the waiting list for council housing, LandAid’s campaign comes at a time of critical need.
Seven businesses have so far pledged to sponsor a home. SEGRO, the first company to join the campaign, has already raised £40,000 to help convert a derelict flat above a shop in Barking into a new home for vulnerable young people. Working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity GB, a charity specialising in the creative use of empty buildings, the renovation will create three bedrooms and communal living space for young people who are leaving care or facing homelessness. The project will also give local unemployed young people the chance to learn construction skills through on-site training.
Also taking part in the Sponsor a Home campaign are Knight Frank, JLL, Cushman and Wakefield, Shaftesbury, Palmer Capital and Grosvenor.
LandAid is now calling upon more property businesses to join its campaign and help tackle the soaring levels of homelessness in the UK. Those interested in finding out more should email leah.desilva@landaid.org or visit www.landaid.org.
Paul Morrish, Chief Executive of LandAid, said: ‘Nothing says more about the property industry’s determination to help tackle youth homelessness that our Sponsor a Home campaign. How can you study, work or do any of the things we all take for granted if you haven’t got a decent roof over your head? Where these seven awesome companies are blazing a trail we want others to follow. In LandAid’s 30th Anniversary Year help raise £30,000 and leave a lasting legacy’
David Sleath, CEO of SEGRO, said: “I’m proud that SEGRO is the first company to have reached LandAid’s fundraising target for this important new campaign to help end youth homelessness. Our teams at SEGRO are committed to engaging in the communities in which we operate, and we are delighted to be partnering with Habitat for Humanity for this project in Barking, East London.’