Innovative, new program provides people experiencing homelessness with housing, an employment opportunity and support to break the cycle of homelessness and increase housing affordability.

Nationally recognised homelessness services charity, Dignity, has today launched Ready To Work Housing, in partnership with Fantastic Furniture. This innovative and unique program provides 22 people who are experiencing homelessness with safe, stable housing for up to 12 months; an employment opportunity; and on-site support to ensure participants have the wrap-around support they need to progress through the program and increase housing security.

Homelessness can happen to anyone and more than 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness on any given night. Homelessness is a problem that Dignity believes can be solved through collaboration and by empowering people in crisis to restore their dignity.

With a vision of scaling its impact in the homelessness sector, Dignity developed the new Ready To Work Housing program in collaboration with the program’s major sponsor Fantastic Furniture and other companies in the business sector; government and non-government agencies; and charity partners, to address the barriers people experiencing homelessness face finding employment.

“Ready To Work has been designed to drive lasting reductions in the number of Australians experiencing homelessness as well as increasing affordability. At a time when housing is simply unaffordable for many people, the Ready To Work program empowers residents to break the cycle of homelessness for good.”

Dignity CEO, Suzanne Hopman

The 22 brand-new Ready To Work studio units are located in Campbelltown, NSW, and fully furnished by program partner Fantastic Furniture and appliances supplied by the Winnings Group. A common room and garden will encourage a sense of community among residents with BBQ facilities, vegetable garden and Dignity Food Relief freezers stocked with volunteer-made meals.

Fantastic Furniture CEO and Dignity Chair, Kieron Ritchard, commented, “Fantastic Furniture has been a long-time partner and supporter of Dignity and this program aligned with our belief that every Australian deserves a home that’s safe, happy and sustainable. We know securing and maintaining employment is key to sustainable transitions out of homelessness and into stable housing and that is the end goal of the program.”

“Not only were we able to provide the furniture to make these new units feel like an inviting new home, but we have also provided employment opportunities for the new residents and they are proving to be Fantastic employees.”

Fantastic Furniture CEO, Kieron Ritchard

Addressing the barriers that many people experiencing homelessness face, Ready To Work participants are provided with everything they need for their 12-month housing placement and new job. This includes a mobile phone with free data and calls, internet connection in their unit and access to a new wardrobe of clothes, shoes and accessories thanks to our charity partner, Thread Together. The on-site ‘Dressing Room’ contains clothes suitable for all occasions including interview attire, work gear, and casual clothing.

Ready To Work Housing program participant, John* said, “I was living in my car, I had nowhere to go. Dignity has not only helped get me out of my car and off the streets, they’ve helped me get back into work and that means a lot. The support that they’ve given me, and this program is amazing. And I love my job! Each day I’m so excited about going to work.”

We are so excited to announce our new partnership with Youfoodz! Over the last few months, this partnership has enabled us to expand our Food Relief program nationally to support more people in need than ever before.

Youfoodz meals will supplement our volunteer-made meals in times of greater need and will supply interstate Food Relief program partners monthly. The team have already generously donated over $75,000 worth of delicious, freshly made meals and we are very grateful that through this partnership we can provide more ready-meals free of charge to people in the community doing it tough.

Since establishing their partnership in August 2021, ready-made meals brand Youfoodzhas donated 1,500 healthy and hearty meals each month to Dignity, supporting their Food Relief Program which has now expanded to community centres around the country, directly assisting those at-risk of homelessness.

“We have been proud to donate over 1,500 meals a month and, to date we’ve donated over $75,000 worth, and for us that’s just the start. We’re really excited to embark on a new year, to continue to support, help grow and expand with Dignity, and help more and more Australians in need.”

Youfoodz Founder & CEO Lance Giles

In the spirit of giving, Youfoodz is using their platform to raise awareness and to encourage the community to get behind Dignity and those experiencing homlessness this Christmas and beyond.

In addition to monthly ready-made meal donations, this Christmas Youfoodz is donating $1 for every online order placed between 16th – 22nd December towards meals for Dignity, feeding those most in-need around the country.

For opening times and locations of Dignity’s Food Relief outlets, view the directory.

Real estate group Raine & Horne has today formalised its social and corporate responsibility activities with the launch of the Raine & Horne Foundation that will support a selected number of charitable organisations annually. As part of the launch, the Raine & Horne Foundation has announced it will be helping to combat homelessness by partnering Dignity. 

The Raine & Horne Foundation will be supported by contributions to the marketing fund by Raine & Horne’s 300 plus global network. The new Foundation’s board will include Raine & Horne’s Franchise Advisory Council (FAC), Raine & Horne Holdings directors, Executive Chairman Angus Raine, and Doug McCluskey.

“Raine & Horne has collaborated with many charitable organisations for almost 140 years, and the establishment of the Foundation formalises this support and will ensure we continue to be very strategic with the causes we support. On this basis, it stands to reason that we are launching the Foundation by supporting an outstanding organisation such as Dignity that is taking the fight to homelessness.”

Raine & Horne Executive Chairman Angus Raine

Ms Suzanne Hopman, CEO of Dignity is delighted that the Raine & Horne Foundation has chosen Dignity as its inaugural community partner commenting, “Raine & Horne’s partnership will provide us with the opportunity to support and empower even more people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to prevent, respond to and end their homelessness.”

Click below to learn more about the Raine & Horne Foundation.

We all know that recycling is great for the planet, but did you know that when you recycle cans and bottles at Return and Earn machines, you can also help people experiencing homelessness?

Simply download the myTOMRA app, press charities and choose Dignity’s Homelessness Care Packs campaign when you recycle. 100% of funds raised from the containers you recycle will provide care packs for men, women and children experiencing homelessness.

The Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) has named Dignity as their Community Partner for 2021.

The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales is the peak industry body for real estate agents and property professionals in NSW. The largest and most influential association of its kind in NSW, REINSW represents thousands of agents across the state. 

As part of this very exciting partnership, REINSW will contribute a portion of funds raised at events throughout the year to assist Dignity to empower people to prevent, respond and end homelessness.

“A huge thank you to the REINSW team, we are so excited to be partnering with you,”

Dignity Representative

Read more about the partnership on page 20 of the latest issue of the REINSW Journal.