Learn About Habitat for Humanity

Homeless to Home owner - Habitat for Humanity responds to Homelessness Green Paper

Habitat for Humanity has handed in a submission in response to the Federal Governments Green Paper on Homelessness. The submission calls for Government responses to homelessness to have at their core an objective to move people through the housing spectrum towards home ownership. The submission explores a concept of increased partnerships amongst the not for profit sector as a way of progressing clients through the system from homeless to home owner with a key role in this process to be played by Habitat for Humanity Australia. The submission also features an inspiring case study of a single mother who went from homeless to home owner with the support of Habitat for Humanity. To read the full Habitat for Humanity submission click here. To read the Government's Green Paper - Which Way Home? click here.

Newsroom: What's New

A big thank you to our cornerstone Sponsor PMI Mortgage Insurance who made the 2008 National Conference and the ReStore Launch Gala Dinner possible

National Affiliate Leadership Conference

The Habitat for Humanity Australia National Affiliate Leadership Conference held in Melbourne from the 29th to the 30th of May marked the official launch of the new 5 year strategic plan and the celebration of the launch of ReStore in Victoria.

Scott Langford (presenting)
with George Macdonald

Over 50 leaders from Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity Australia and the State Affiliates gathered to celebrate accomplishments, share ideas and discuss the ongoing growth and cultural maturation of the organization.

Rick Hathaway, Asia Pacific Vice President and Peter Gape, Asia Pacific Program Director, shared the results of the amazing growth of the program in the region. This inspirational story has seen growth in the number of families served from just a few hundred to over 24,000 last year with a long term target of 100,000 families served annually by Habitat for Humanity in the region.

Mark White, COO

Mark White, COO Habitat for Humanity Australia, launched the new 5 year strategic plan for Australia which is the culmination of a 12 month development process. The process of developing the plan has been facilitated by International consultancy firm Booz Allen Hamilton and has involved key stakeholders from chapters, affiliates, sponsors and the Board of Directors. The conference was a wonderful opportunity to engage a wide range of members of the organization in considering how they will help achieve the strategic goals and objectives over the next five years.

Ian Graham, CEO, PMI

Conference delegates were delighted to have the presence of Ian Graham as a guest presenter. Ian is the Chief Executive Officer of PMI Mortgage Insurance Ltd. who is the major cornerstone partner of the HFHA domestic program. It was the significant support of PMI that enabled the Conference to be held. Ian gave a unique insight into Corporate Social Responsibility partnerships from a Corporate perspective. Thanks to Ian and PMI for their committed support and true partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Affiliate Chairman and Executive Directors presented on the growth of the program in Australia. Affiliates have delivered 77 houses to Australian families and it is expected that the 100th house in Australia will be completed in late 2009.

Photo's courtesy of Bryan Perera of brylyn photography
Kindly organised by our official photographer Diana Graham Imagery

The conference was a great opportunity to celebrate achievements and more importantly set the tone for the next five years. Exponentially increasing the numbers of supporters, volunteers and families served is the challenge over the next five years. The energy and enthusiasm of delegates and speakers clearly demonstrates that there is no looking back, there is a sense of urgency that it is in our hands to work together achieve our goals and help more families in need. Like the theme of the conference the answer to how do we achieve this? “no hands but yours.”

Launch Gala Dinner

On the evening of Friday 30th May a Gala Dinner to officially launch the first Australian ReStore was held at the Melbourne Park Hyatt. The night was a huge success with Pot Pourri entertaining guests, a silent auction and heartwarming stories from 2 ladies who had become home owners through the Habitat for Humanity program!

ReStore is an exciting retail concept run by Habitat for Humanity where donated building tools and materials can be purchased by the public with all funds going towards Habitat for Humanity’s program.

By supporting ReStore you are supporting affordable housing for families in need. You can get involved with ReStore by making a donation of stock, funds or in kind support. For more information on ReStore and please contact Brian Finch on BFinch@habitat.org.au or by calling (03) 9872-3530.

16 Pilgrim Court, Ringwood

ReStore is a Habitat for Humanity International initiative, which has been hugely successful in other nations,

United States America	450
Canada	60
New Zealand	5

ReStore is a retail outlet that accepts donations of good-quality, new and reusable home improvement and building materials and then sells them to the general public.

At the end of May 2008 Habitat for Humanity Australia's Victorian Affiliate will open Australia's first ReStore outlet - a first of its kind in this market.

The new offices of Habitat for Humanity Victoria and the Warehouse for the Habitat ReStore operations, commencing February 2008.

“Your Bargain Home Centre – Helping Habitat Build more Homes”

Donations of suitable ‘new’ products for re-sale sought.

Let us help you solve your “Overstock” problem!

For more information hforhvic@bigpond.net.au

Rise Up Productions supports Habitat

Rise Up

www.riseupproductions.com

“As part of our ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity Australia, Rise Up Productions has designed a range of Polo Shirts with funds from the sale of every polo shirt going to Habitat for Humanity to fulfil our mission of working in partnership with people in need, the community at large and volunteers from all walks of life to build simple, decent and affordable homes; and to strengthen local communities in Australia and throughout the world.

Bronwyn Darlington, Founder and Director, Rise Up Productions, says "Rise Up focuses principally on designing and producing ethical day to day clothing with all profit going to organisations like Habitat for Humanity Australia who meet the needs of the poor and disadvantaged on behalf of us all."

"We believe that now is the time to use our consumer choices to make a real difference environmentally, socially and economically to benefit those with the greatest needs."

School clothings (including the polo shirts) are available through

www.Nitika.com.au

Promotional polo shirts are available through these outlets

www.aridzone.com.au

www.4ecopromotions.com

And also available through Corporate Express (National) 1800 446 1316
Just ask for Rise Up’s Eco-Soft Fair-trade Organic Polo’s!

First Name:
Last Name:
Email: