Benn Dorrington, Industry Editor and Analyst
First published 22 Oct 2026, 3:15pm
Australia's biggest real estate group Ray White has set its sights on raising $50,000 this year to give to charities helping people experiencing homelessness due to domestic and family violence.
Ray White agents and other staff will be sleeping overnight in offices, cars and tents, as well as volunteering to help people experiencing homelessness, across the country this month for this year's A Night Without Home campaign.
It's the second year that Ray White staff have participated in the annual industry-wide fundraiser, which is aiming to raise at least $1 million for A Home For All Foundation and promotes awareness of Australia's homelessness crisis.
Natalie Hortz, head of organisational development at Ray White Group and A Home For All advisory committee member, said many more Ray White offices were taking part in A Night Without Home this year.
"We’ve seen great involvement across Queensland and New South Wales, as well as Victoria and South Australia," Ms Hortz said.
"We’re taking a multifaceted approach, with activities suited to each region and office.”
Some staff will be sleeping overnight away from the comfort of their beds, while others have been serving meals to people experiencing homelessness at the Early Bird Cafe charity in Sydney.
The group will also raise funds through its Real Estate of Origin event and charity auctions.
A Night Without Home is aiming to raise $1 million for homelessness services this month.
“The fundraising target is about $50,000, which is a huge goal. But the money isn’t the whole story," she said.
"Volunteering at the cafe isn’t directly raising funds, but it can create a longer-lasting impact by raising awareness of homelessness and the challenges people face.
“We want people to understand that this isn’t an issue that matters for just one day of the year.
"A Night Without Home is a great opportunity to bring people together, but we want the focus to be broader and last longer.”
The figures around homelessness in Australia are staggering, with around one in 10 Australians at risk of becoming homeless.
Ray White's Natalie Hortz says more people are joining A Night Without Home this year. Picture: Supplied
On any given night, about 122,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness, according to 2021 Census figures.
Overall, 94% of those experiencing homelessness aren’t sleeping rough - they’re couch surfing, living in cars, or moving through temporary accommodation.
“Homelessness is much closer than we often think," Ms Hortz said.
"People sleeping rough are only a small part of the problem.
"If we’re fortunate to have a safe place to call home, we can help, whether it's by raising funds, experiencing for one night what others experience for much longer, or simply spreading the message.”
It comes as domestic and family violence remains the leading cause of homelessness in the country.
The number of people experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence more than doubled between 2021-2024, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Survivors of domestic and family violence often must make the impossible choice between being safe and having a roof over their head.
For Ms Hortz, the real estate industry can play an important role in helping people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
“The real estate industry is on the front line," she said.
Join the movement, for a home for all
This October, A Home for All Foundation is raising funds to help end homelessness in Australia. Every dollar goes directly to the cause, because everyone deserves a place to call home.
"We help people get into homes and move homes, but we’re also sometimes the first to see the stress our customers and communities are facing.”
A Home for All Foundation aims to unite the property industry to help tackle homelessness.
All of the funds raised for A Home For All Foundation goes to charities working on the ground across Australia to support people experiencing homelessness due to domestic and family violence.
Last year in its inaugural year, the foundation raised more than $1 million through the campaign, with funds distributed to four charity partners working at the intersection of homelessness and domestic violence.
The foundation gave $400,000 to Women’s Community Shelters , and $200,000 each to Justice Connect, Friends with Dignity and Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia.
Led by Australia's property industry and backed by REA Group, A Home For All Foundation drives awareness and raises funds to help people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
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