From open houses to overnight shelters: How LJ Hooker’s three-year pact will turn the tide on homelessness

LJ Hooker founder Sir Leslie Hooker once said: “Real estate is not about houses, it’s about people,” and that belief is being put into action as the 98-year-old institution takes a major step towards tackling homelessness.

The LJ Hooker Foundation, the real estate icon’s charitable arm, has nominated A Home for All Foundation as its primary charitable partner until the end of 2028. This is a huge step forward for the Australian property industry and the work being done to support those in need.

Led by the Australian real estate industry and supported by realestate.com.au publisher REA Group, A Home for All Foundation works to raise awareness, raise funds and create long-term change for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Simon Heathcote, director and chief financial officer of the LJ Hooker Foundation, said the foundation was proud to support A Home for All.

“We have a national homelessness crisis, driven in part by a lack of housing that provides dignity and security to the most vulnerable in our community, who are further impacted by the cost of living,” he said.

“More than 122,000 Australians don’t have a safe place to call home at night, and we can’t solve homelessness alone, but we can use our local reach, resources and relationships to help trusted frontline organizations extend their support even further.”

With a franchise network of around 4,000 sales professionals, property managers and support staff across around 390 businesses across Australia and New Zealand, helping people buy, sell and rent homes every day, it was a natural progression for LJ Hooker to focus on homelessness, Mr Heathcote said.

LJ Hooker’s huge team has raised funds and raised awareness for a variety of charities and causes over the years through bake-offs, raffles, fundraising auctions and charity walks.

“These are people who live and work in the communities they serve, build long-term relationships with local residents and understand firsthand the importance of a safe home,” he said.

“This local presence gives LJ Hooker the opportunity to translate a national campaign into meaningful action in communities across the country.”

In the last financial year alone, the LJ Hooker Foundation raised more than $80,000 for its charities – a figure Mr Heathcote aims to at least achieve for his unique charitable focus with the A Home for All Foundation.

“The strength of the LJ Hooker Charitable Foundation is our office network,” he said.

Funds are raised through national campaigns, workplace giving, donations and events, and activities organized by individual offices for causes that matter in their local communities.”

“A Night Without a Home” returns in October and aims to raise $1 million for homeless services and support.

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Next month the LJ Hooker Foundation is supporting A Home for All’s ‘A Night Without a Home’ campaign.

The campaign allows participants to choose their challenge – sleeping in the car, spending a night on a friend’s couch, having an office sleepover with their team or forgoing everyday comforts at home to support organizations working to end homelessness in Australia.

Last year, in its inaugural year, the foundation raised more than $1 million through the campaign and distributed the funds to four charitable partners working at the intersection of homelessness and domestic violence.

“LJ Hooker is encouraging our employees, offices and local communities to spend a night away from the comforts of home during October, raising awareness and funds for homeless Australians,” Mr Heathcote said.

“One night cannot replicate the experience of homelessness, nor should we suggest it can. It’s about bringing people together, starting important conversations locally and turning awareness into practical support through donations that can make a difference.”

Elisa Nerone, REA Group’s chief people and sustainability officer and A Home for All Foundation advisory board member, said last year’s “A Night Without a Home” campaign showed what was possible when the real estate industry worked together.

“We look forward to building on this momentum in 2026,” she said.

“This partnership will help both foundations mobilize more people to action and ultimately provide more support to people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.”

Registrations for the “One Night Without Home” fundraiser are open. Many participants will come together on Thursday October 8th to celebrate the event ahead of World Homelessness Day on October 10th.