Property Industry Foundation raise $90,000 for young homeless people
The Property Industry Foundation (PIF) raised $90,000 for homeless young people via their annual Melbourne Charity Sailing Challenge, with major sponsor Brookfield.
A fleet of 37 yachts took over Port Phillip Bay to raise funds for the PIF House Program.
The initiative brought together over 400 individuals from the property and construction industry, Australian Olympic sailors Haylee Outteridge, Rio gold medallist Tom Burton and PIF Event Patron John Bertrand, AO, America’s Cup Winning Skipper.
42 per cent of homeless people in Australia are under 25 years old, meaning there are over 44,000 young Australians sleeping on the streets each night.
The funds raised will support the national PIF House Program, which builds homes for at risk and homeless young people across NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
In these homes, carers and counsellors provide support and mentoring to rebuild young lives.
Nationally the PIF House program has delivered 32 bedrooms since 2017, 50 bedrooms are in the pipeline and the aim by 2021 is to have 125 bedrooms completed for homeless youth.
Mr Bertrand, AO, is passionate about helping young people who he believes are our future. “I have been the event patron for PIF’s Melbourne Charity Sailing Challenge for nine years. Each year I come back, I am astounded by the property industry’s passion and dedication to helping homeless and at-risk young people."
The Chairman of PIF Victoria, Peter Inge OAM, said, "The great part about this industry is that we come together to raise funds and also use our skills to physically build these homes to help young people break the cycle of homelessness,” he says.
Over the last five years, PIF have invested $10 million into charitable programs, helping to rebuild young lives.
