Habitat for Humanity Australia

Who we are

Habitat for Humanity Australia is part of Habitat for Humanity, an international not-for-profit that originated in Georgia, United States in 1976. Habitat for Humanity began as a grassroots effort driven by the vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. The housing organisation has since grown to become a leading global non-profit working in more than 70 countries. Since then it has been our mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

What we do

In Australia, Habitat for Humanity supports low-income families and vulnerable groups in accessing safe shelter. This includes building or repairing shelters, and disaster risk reduction and recovery. Many of our programs rely on the amazing support and hard work of our generous volunteers and partners. We currently operate in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

Renovate shelters

We help disadvantaged people through the Brush with Kindness corporate volunteering program. The program mobilises teams of volunteers to conduct landscaping, renovation and minor building repairs at the accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence or people experiencing homelessness. Teams can get out of the office and get their hands dirty! Through our Australian programs, we have helped over 1000 people through volunteering activities and engaged with more than 10,000 volunteers from both the community and corporate sectors.

Build shelters

Our Home Ownership program is a limited application-based program that is only available in South Australia and Victoria. Our partner families receive an interest-free loan, based on the market value of the completed home and contribute 500 hours of their own time in the planning and construction phases. We call this sweat equity.

Rental program

We believe that all Australians should have access to a safe and secure home, yet sadly recognise that there is currently an imbalance between supply and demand for affordable rentals all around the country. Habitat for Humanity Australia is committed to finding a solution for the current housing crisis and aims to become a landlord of choice for the vulnerable in our community who don’t qualify for social housing, yet can’t afford private rentals. Our Subsidised Housing and Affordable Rental Program (SHARP) works with housing developers and investors, as well as private owners of empty units, to provide affordable rentals to those who need it, whilst being financially profitable.

Habitat restore

Restore is Habitat for Humanity Australia’s social enterprise that accepts new and gently used goods, with all proceeds supporting our Australian based programs. Not only are items available to purchase at a significantly reduced price, but everything you buy is one less item that ends up in landfill. Everyone deserves a decent and secure place to live, and Habitat Restore supports this mission.

Habitat women

Habitat Women was established in 2022 as a social enterprise increase workforce participation of women in the building and maintenance industry. Women make up only 11% of the total industry workforce. Our Habitat Women program provides women who have experienced barriers to employment with hands-on training in the maintenance and repairs space. This twelve week syllabus provides women with a positive learning experience which builds confidence and skills in a way that leads to employment in the construction industry. We recruit cohort members several times a year, and operate out of TAFE Meadowbank.

Disaster recovery & resilience

Our Bushfire Recovery Program provides recovery services to people affected by the Bushfires. Our Disaster Recovery Team, consisting of volunteers, are mobilised as soon as the smoke clears to offer support and hope. We have been on the ground in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria in helping to salvage, rebuild, and assist homeowners.