Arabic version: وكيل عقارات في كانبيرا يسعى إلى إصلاح 20 مسكناً عاماً مجاناً

According to ABC News, Canberra real estate agent Jonny Warren is seeking ACT government approval to renovate or repair 20 vacant public housing homes pro bono, with the aim of housing tenants by Christmas. Warren, who experienced homelessness and ice addiction earlier in life, began working in real estate in 2014 after receiving support from his family.

The campaign has drawn volunteer tradespeople, Warren said. He wants the government to select 20 vacant dwellings, some of which require deep cleaning, paint, carpets or tap fittings. Warren said the work was not necessarily extensive but could provide the final touches needed to make homes available.

More than 580 public housing dwellings are vacant in the ACT, including 285 requiring upgrades or maintenance before they can be tenanted. About 3,650 approved applicants are on Canberra’s public housing waitlist. The average wait exceeds five months for priority housing and five years for standard housing.

Independent MLA Thomas Emerson is backing the proposal and called for the government to participate. Housing All Australians ACT chair Jo Farrell welcomed the effort but said homes must meet standards of dignity and quality, while ACT Shelter chief executive Corinne Dobson said the initiative should complement broader improvements to public-housing processes, investment and property conditions.

Warren said his team had a meeting scheduled with the government and hoped it would be the final step before work began. If the 20-home target is achieved, he said the group hopes to pursue a goal next year of renovating 100 homes and helping 100 people off the streets.