Volunteers and Corporates Join to Build Houses

 Habitat for Humanity Australia’s (HFHA) Bidwill Blitz Build launches on Monday 16 November rising to the challenge to build two new homes for two families in less than a fortnight, in Sydney’s North West suburb of Bidwill.

Foundation Sponsor QBE LMI will start the building off with the help of Origin Energy and a team of volunteers.

All will participate in array of building activity from erecting frames of the houses and inserting windows, through to painting walls and laying turf for the children to play on all within 12 days.

Jo Brennan, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Australia, says the level of housing affordability is at an all time low in Australia and many families are struggling to cope. 

Her organisation believes that by giving people the tools to help themselves, they can create a better life for themselves and their families.

Ian Graham, CEO of QBE LMI, says QBE LMI is thrilled to be once again involved in this significant community event. 

He says employees and customers have willingly come together to support this initiative and the recipient families, and they are up for the challenge of building two homes in twelve days. 

HFHA is a Not for Profit home ownership organisation which builds simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with low income families in need across Australia. Brennan says they are providing the two families a hand up, not a hand out. Through the Bidwill Blitz Build, brand new homes are built and then sold to partner families financed with affordable interest-free loans.

Jo Brennan says home ownership is the key to a better life and can act as a powerful catalyst for poverty alleviation.

She says before receiving the keys to their new home both families will also undertake training in basic home maintenance and household financial management to help them on their way to homeownership.