Original Source: https://harcourts.net/au/resources/terra-firma-harcourts-and-homelessness-week-2022

In Australia there are over 116,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. 

Homelessness Week 2022 will be taking place from Monday 1 to Sunday 7 August. 

Homelessness Week aims to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness on Australia via national and local community events, including providing information on the importance of housing as a solution and educating communities on how they can make a difference.

The theme for Homelessness Week 2022 is ‘To end homelessness we need a plan’. 

In South Australia, not only is there a plan, but there is also a solid realisation of that plan in the form of a ground-breaking partnership between the Toward Home Alliance and Harcourts Packham, and the resulting homelessness specialist accommodation building entitled ‘Terra Firma.’

Purchased by Harcourts Packham in May 2021, the building has seen extensive refurbishment and repair since its life as a popular backpacker’s hostel. With an injection of passion, shared enthusiasm, and vision between Harcourts Packham and the Toward Home Alliance, the building has been reborn.

Terra Firma boasts 11 fully furnished, private bedrooms, unisex shower block, six toilets, and one ensuite; and has been enthusiastically embraced.

“Terra Firma is now operating at capacity with rave reviews from all involved,” says James Packham, Director, Harcourts Packham.

“It is delivering approximately 4,500 bed nights a year in the fight against homelessness.”

Terra Firma is innovative and dignified short-term housing (up to 12 weeks) for Toward Home clients aged 45 years and over (singles or couples), with accompanying Toward Home support services.

“It is so wonderful to see Harcourts offices getting involved in the community and supporting those around them. Providing Terra Firma is an incredibly meaningful way to do that,” points out Hannah Katz, Harcourts Cultural Ambassador.  

The SA partnership brings together the combined expertise of the Toward Home Alliance and Harcourts Packham for the benefit of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 

Further to that, and particularly pertinent during this year’s Homelessness Week, Terra Firma aspires to illustrate what is possible in terms of combating homelessness. The shared vision is to demonstrate an efficient model which can be scaled to assist Government, private business and homelessness service providers.

“Our foray into providing a homeless shelter is the first time in the state’s history that a private enterprise has delivered a bespoke homeless accommodation solution,” points out Mr Packham,  “and the reports are clear that we have demonstrated a level of operational and cost efficiency which could be the new benchmark for others to aspire to.”

With the theme for Homelessness Week 2022 – ‘To end homelessness we need a plan’ – so very apt, Mr Packham and the Harcourts team are passionate about their mission.

“We are keen to explore new and further opportunities to partner with ‘like’ organisations including local government, the private sector and community members including investors, toward ending homelessness.”

Homelessness Week 2022:  Monday 1 to Sunday 7 August.

Learn more about Homelessness week: https://homelessnessaustralia.org.au/homelessness-week-1-7-august-2022/