In addition to their own significant contribution to the real estate industry’s Beyond the Bricks campaign, Raine & Horne is calling on owners of short-term holiday rentals to consider letting to families whose homes were destroyed by the horrific bushfires.
Beyond the Bricks is the property’s industry’s response to the bushfires and has already raised $900,000 with Raine & Horne contributing $50,000.
The industry-wide initiative will see a focus on relief for affected communities, then rebuilding and restoring them, with all donations to be divided between St Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, Australian Red Cross and WWF.
Among those impacted are several members of Raine & Horne’s team on the NSW South Coast who lost their homes to the unforgiving flames.
On New Year’s Eve, Adam and La Shae Porteous, the Co-Principals of the Batemans Bay office and Katrina Condie from Mollymook/Ulladulla/Milton lost their properties.
Mrs Condie, a former Fairfax journalist, has penned a heart-breaking account of the day her family lost their family home at Conjola Park on New Year’s Day.
CEO of Raine & Horne, Brian Reid, said to date, the bushfires had destroyed more than 1500 homes across Australia, with the vast majority of properties located in NSW, including the Porteous and Condie family homes.
“These tragic losses have brought home to our network the severity of the last month and we are delighted to be part of the Beyond the Bricks financial initiative that aims to provide immediate relief to families, support for rebuilding their homes and lives and assistance for affected communities such as the South Coast in NSW and Victoria’s Gippsland,” Mr Reid said.
Calling all landlords with short-term rentals
In addition to immediate financial assistance, Mr Reid is calling on landlords with holiday lettings located near bushfire affected regions to consider offering their properties to displaced families.
“If you have a traditional holiday letting or a property listed with a homestay platform you could consider making your home available for at least 12 months to help those who have lost houses in the bush fires,” Mr Reid suggested.
“The change to a permanent rental might just be for 6-12 months but could help a family left reeling by the unrelenting bushfires.”
In Milton and Ulladulla, the local Raine & Horne property managers have been phoning landlords with short-term holiday rentals about the possibility of renting their properties out as fully furnished properties for 12 months or so, according to Tony Hopper, Co-Principal of Raine & Horne Mollymook/Milton/Ulladulla.
“Likewise, if you own a holiday rental in the likes of Bendalong or Manyna with traditionally higher vacancy rates than Mollymook or Ulladulla, taking a 12-month lease could make a significant difference to the lives of a local family displaced by bushfire,” he said.
Holidaymakers can do their bit to help financially too
After weeks of bushfires, the local South Coast community and businesses are getting back on their feet, and Mr Hopper is urging holiday makers to return to help the region bounce back.
“This region is economically dependent on tourism, and towns such as Milton, Ulladulla and Mollymook need holidaymakers to come back and spend their money.”
To support those families and regions affected by the bushfires, visit Beyond the Bricks to make a donation.
