Brad Duggan understands that homelessness is about more than sleeping rough – one of the hardest aspects is the uncertainty that comes with not having a home.
Mr Duggan, who is the chief executive of Australia’s biggest home builder Metricon, joined his Melbourne team on October 8 for Metricon’s inaugural office overnighter at their Notting Hill headquarters for A Night Without Home.
Team members swapped their beds for sleeping bags to raise funds and awareness to help end homelessness.
“We knew we could return home the next night – that certainty is exactly what so many Australians are missing,” Mr Duggan said.
“The night was an opportunity to reflect on the security we often take for granted and turn that awareness into support for people experiencing homelessness.
“I’m proud of our team and grateful to everyone who donated.”
A Night Without Home is an annual fundraiser held by A Home for All Foundation every October, encouraging Australians to spend a night without home comforts to raise awareness and funds to help end homelessness.
The Metricon team at the inaugural office overnighter in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied
The money raised by A Home For All Foundation goes to charities working on the ground across Australia to support people experiencing homelessness due to domestic and family violence.
Last year in its inaugural year, the foundation raised more than $1 million through the campaign, and so far this year, more than $700,000 has been raised.
Mr Duggan said his team’s goal was to raise $25,000, but they had more than doubled their target.
Join the movement, for a home for all
This October, A Home for All Foundation is raising funds to help end homelessness in Australia. Every dollar goes directly to the cause, because everyone deserves a place to call home.
“Raising more than $1 million last year shows what an industry can achieve when it acts together,” he said.
“Those funds help frontline organisations support people who urgently need safety and accommodation.
“The opportunity now is to build on that momentum. Every donation matters, and so does maintaining our commitment after the sleeping bags are packed away.”
The figures around homelessness in Australia are staggering, with around one in 10 Australians at risk of becoming homeless.
Metricon chief executive Brad Duggan says A Night Without Home is an opportunity to reflect on the security we often take for granted and turn that awareness into support for people experiencing homelessness. Picture: Supplied
Census figures from 2021 show around 122,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness on any given night.
Overall, 94% of those experiencing homelessness aren’t sleeping rough. They’re couch surfing, living in cars, or moving through temporary accommodation.
“Having somewhere to stay tonight doesn’t mean you have a home. That statistic makes the distinction very clear,” said Mr Duggan.
“People can be going to work, taking their children to school and keeping life moving while having no certainty about where they’ll sleep next week. Much of that hardship is invisible.
“We cannot judge the scale of homelessness by what we see on the street – we need to recognise housing insecurity earlier and help people before their options run out.”
About 122,000 Australians experience homelessness on any given night, according to 2021 Census figures.
To address the issue, A Home for All Foundation aims to unite the property industry to help end homelessness.
Supported by leading industry voices across Australia, the foundation’s goal is to drive awareness, raise funds and build long-term change for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
As Australia’s largest home builder, Mr Duggan said Metricon was passionate about the cause.
“When your business is building homes, you understand what security makes possible,” he said.
“A safe home gives people the foundation to work, raise a family and recover from setbacks.
“We have a responsibility to help more Australians access that stability.”
Metricon’s approach to giving includes support for its employees, local communities and a range of charitable organisations.
A Night Without Home is aiming to raise $1 million for homelessness services and support this month.
“Through Housing All Australians, we put our skills, labour and construction expertise to work helping turn suitable empty buildings into safe accommodation,” said Mr Duggan.
“Supporting A Home for All Foundation extends that commitment.
“We want our contribution to translate into meaningful support for people who need it.”