Construction begins this week on a charity house in Whitlam that will be auctioned to raise money for Canberra domestic and family violence services.
Master Builders ACT expects to complete and sell the architect-designed, four-bedroom home by the end of the year.
Hands Across Canberra will distribute all the money from the sale through a grants program to local charities.
“Domestic and family violence is a complete blight on our community, and a big barrier for victims is lack of access to both transitional and permanent housing,” Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama said.
One woman is killed Australia wide every four days by violent acts, while nationally, two in five homicides are linked to family and domestic violence, although many incidents are not reported.
“We hope this Charity House can fund critical services like prevention, relocation and interim housing support so Canberra women have options and a place to go,” Ms Neelagama said.
This is the fifth charity house Master Builders ACT has organised.
Master Builders ACT has not estimated how much the house could raise, saying it is too early to discuss a likely price.
“This is one of the major ways our movement and the ACT building and construction industry gives back to the ACT and region,” Ms Neelagama said.
Canberra builders will donate more than $1 million worth of labour, professional services, and materials.
“We leave no stone unturned – every tile and brick, the landscaping, this time even a pool, are donated by Master Builders ACT members,” Ms Neelagama said. “The architect has not charged a fee, nor has the interior designer, and we’ve sourced generous donations for everything from the concreting and door frames to the clothes-line.”
The ACT Government and Suburban Land Agency helped secure the block, which overlooks the Molonglo River and surrounding mountains.
Darrell Leemhuis, principal of construction firm A+P Leemhuis, is leading the contruction.
‘For me, building a house to help out just makes sense; it’s what we can do,” Mr Leemhuis said. “When I was approached about the project, I said, ‘Mate, I’ll build it. You don’t have to even ask the question.’”
Mr Leemhuis said he hoped the project would encourage other businesses to support local causes.
“My son is coming up now as a young builder, and when you sit down at the dinner table each night, it’s good to talk about more than bricks and mortar and business,” he said.
“I want to show him you can work with integrity and grace by giving back to your community.”
