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An Avoca landmark is on the market for the first time since it was imported from Germany in 1852. Sent from Hamburg in numbered planks during the gold rush era, Watford House at 16 Dundas Street was brought back to life across 14 years by vendor and local artist Lyndal Jones, who is known for her long-term projects. With its detailed restoration complete, the heritage-listed home is for sale with a $745,000-$780,000 price guide.Read more

The chief executive of a real estate agency that supports women and children facing homelessness has put her money where her mouth is, listing her own home via the group. Profits from the sale of Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI) head Jeanette Large’s Coburg North abode will be funnelled into the charity to provide long-term, quality housing for those in need. This is the case for all homes offloaded via Property Initiatives Real Estate — an arm of WPI founded by Ms Large.Read more

When Melbourne mother Kylie fled a violent partner with her son in tow, trying to sign a private house rental was as fraught as staying in an abusive relationship. Priced out of the mainstream tenancy market and needing secure, long-term refuge, she sought help from a women’s housing group. Following the launch of a royal commission into the state’s domestic violence crisis and growing community outcry, a not-for-profit venture by the real estate industry hopes to help fill a gap in affordable housing for some of the state’s most vulnerable families.Read more

There is a quiet revolution happening in Australia. Water and toilet paper that help the underprivileged, on-the-job training as waiters, even an affordable roof over your head, social enterprises seem to be taking off in Australia offering a multitude of goods and services. And those behind the ventures are as varied in their ages and backgrounds as those they help.Read more

A rental property social enterprise, with profits assisting disadvantaged women and their children, has urged landlords to “maximise” their return. Property Initiatives Real Estate was created as the social enterprise arm of Not for Profit Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI). It operates as a full-service real estate agency, and all profits help WPI build houses for Melbourne women in need.Read more

Property Initiatives, a real estate agency that ploughs any profit into a charity developing accommodation for vulnerable women, is counting on partnerships with developers to give it scale. The social enterprise headed by chief executive Jeanette Large opened its doors just over a year ago. It benefited from an early contract with Grocon to manage a handful of apartments in the developer’s 28 Bouverie Street tower on Melbourne’s Swanston Street and is winning business from like-minded private investors, but needs more such tie-ups with larger developers.Read more

Family violence is a significant factor for many homeless women but social enterprises such as Fitted for Work, The Big Issue and Women’s Property Initiatives are taking on the challenges. Homeless women need somewhere to live. Landlords need someone to manage their properties.Read more