Helping to construct better lives

Date published: 11 July 2018


Local professionals in the land, property and construction sectors are looking to raise over £110,000 to go towards the renovation of five homes in Manchester for young people at risk of homelessness, as well as upgrade the hot water system in a woman’s only hostel in Manchester.

They are also hoping to raise £48,000 to renovate two houses in Oldham and Rochdale for young homeless people.

The funds are being raised as part of a campaign known as Pledge150 launched by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in its 150th anniversary year - in partnership with property industry charity, LandAid – to encourage the property and construction sectors to raise funds to deliver at least 150 bed spaces in 2018 for young people at risk of homelessness.

The region’s property professionals – including architects, developers, estate agents as well as chartered surveyors – have joined forces to raise £60,000 for Manchester Settlement, to help the charity fund the renovation of two houses to create six new bed spaces for young vulnerable people.

The project will also support the young people to gain the skills and confidence needed to live independently and sustain a tenancy.

Homeless charity Centrepoint is also set to gain from the Pledge150 initiative, with local property professionals aiming to raise over £51,000 to help the cause renovate three two-bed terraced houses in Manchester to provide accommodation for six young people who have experienced homelessness.

They are also looking to raise over £1,600 for Contact Hostel - a women-only hostel supporting homeless women – to help fund the upgrade of its hot water system and save the hostel up to £500 per year.

Two housing projects in Greater Manchester are also in-line to benefit from the Pledge150 campaign, with the target of £48,000 set to go towards the renovation and conversion of two empty houses in Oldham and Rochdale, into two two-bed flats for young care leavers at risk of homelessness.

Both projects are being delivered by Groundwork; a charitable cause that refurbishes long-term empty properties and provides construction training and volunteering opportunities for local unemployed people.

To-date, the region’s property professionals have raised funds for Pledge150 through a wide programme of fundraising activities including taking part in charitable runs and walks as well as many networking socials, tours of iconic buildings such as the Axis Tower in Manchester, and corporate dinners.

Upcoming Pledge150 fundraisers include an ‘It’s a Knockout’ challenge in Manchester on September 14, which will see teams battle a series of inflatable assault-course challenges in a bid to be crowned ‘It’s a Knockout Champions'.

An abseil down Chester Cathedral on 14 October is also planned.

Furthermore, as part of the Pledge150 campaign, property professionals are being encouraged to consider providing pro bono property advice to help local charities that support disadvantaged people, including those experiencing homelessness.

For more information on the RICS Pledge150 campaign, or find out more about the fundraisers in your area, visit: www.rics.org/pledge150


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