News Corp Australia
First published 16 Dec 2025, 11:16am
The Nest launched in March 2025. Picture: Kit Edwards
By Steven Persson, CEO Homes for Homes and The Big Issue.
Australia’s housing affordability is often called “the problem that can’t be solved”. But what if I told you that a proven, independent solution has been quietly changing lives for the past decade?
Central to this solution are everyday Australians: 6 million homeowners and the 3 million who rent across the country.
Homelessness is a costly national crisis. Each night, 122,000 Australians, including 28,000 children, sleep in cars, couch surf or are in crisis accommodation, while many more face housing stress.
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The shortfall in social and affordable housing is set to grow from 600,000 homes today to more than one million by 2036, deepening the challenge.
The idea began in the US, where a developer started raising funds through property sales. Seeing its potential here, we adapted the concept so the whole community could join forces, because Australians want solutions; they see homelessness and they want to help.
In 2015, Homes for Homes (created by The Big Issue) was born. What we built was, essentially, a platform – one that’s independent, transparent and completely insulated from outside influences: government policy, inflation, the stock market, even the weather. Nothing touches it.
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And because of that, the money goes where it’s needed most – creating real impact where housing is in shortest supply.
A small pledge can help get families into homes. Picture: Kit Edwards
The concept is simple: sellers pledge just 0.1 per cent of their property sale (fully tax-deductible); e.g. $800 on an $800,000 home, and funds go directly to creating affordable housing.
For renters who pledge 0.1 per cent of their annual rent, it works out to about the cost of one cafe breakfast a year.
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As Bel*, a renter and donor, puts it: “It feels great each month to give a small portion of our rent to address a huge problem.”
That’s the beauty of it. In simple maths, it’s a case of small change plus many people equals big impact.
So far, this voluntary funding model has raised almost $3 million, funded 28 projects nationally and helped nearly 400 people into housing.
Families like Lily’s*, who recently moved into Haven House in Shepparton, which provides two-bedroom homes for young mums and their children to live independently.
Homes for Homes contributed $100,000 to the project.
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As a young mum, Lily struggled to keep life on track. Since moving into The Nest — with its wraparound support – they’re both thriving. Lily says she no longer feels trapped in a “black hole.” Today, her life has stability, hope and a future.
Families like Tracey’s had given up on owning a home. Her youngest, Joshua, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, needing space for independence – something rentals couldn’t provide.
Tracey and her children at thir home. Picture: Nicole Reed (www.nicolereed.photography).
Facing these challenges, Tracey turned to Habitat for Humanity. With grant support from Homes for Homes, she and her boys received the keys to a purpose-built home in late 2021.
Our ambition is to help many more people and families like Lily’s/Tracey’s. In fact, we aim to become the largest source of funding for social and affordable housing outside of government.
Right now, 2630 registered properties and 235 rental properties are participating in Homes for Homes. Over the next 30 years, we plan to raise around $1 billion for social and affordable housing. Even under conservative economic modelling, we’re on track to achieve it.
But we need more compassionate people to join us. Pledge 0.1 per cent when you sell your property, sign up as a renter or help spread the word to grow this movement. Together, we can ensure every Australian has a safe place to call home.
To find out more please visit our website or call 1300 767 918.
*Names changed to protect the person’s identity.
English (US) · 