News

There are about 200,000 long-term empty homes in England alone. This is a scandal at a time of massive housing need and chronic affordability problems.

In July 2014, LandAid launched its free property advice programme, a match-making service that pairs property professionals with charities seeking advice on their buildings.

As the property world descended on Cannes last week for the annual real estate conference, MIPIM, London was unusually quiet. So with the property industry out of office' and spring just around the corner (I say that as it begins to drizzle outside) it seemed as good a time as any to reflect on the growing successes of our pro bono programme.

The Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) are based in Newhaven, a manufacturing port town which has worsening deprivation in a district of relative affluence. The charity provides information, advice, guidance and activities to five hundred young people in the area through youth clubs and drop in services.

Work was well underway at the part-LandAid-funded Pears Pavilion at Coram HQ when we visited yesterday. We were joined by outgoing Chairman Robin Broadhurst and colleagues from LandAid Foundation Partners Royal Bank of Scotland and Skanska.

The LandAid-funded construction workshop at St Eds in Norwich was a hive of activity when Caroline Fraser and me paid a visit on Friday.

This week (3 - 7 November) is National Pro Bono Week, which celebrates the free legal advice given by law firms to communities across the UK. LandAid launched its own pro bono programme in July this year. While the legal profession has a long tradition of giving pro bono advice, it is not as established in other parts of the property industry.

Last night saw the official launch of LandAid's pro bono campaign at our annual summer party. On the night, we asked the property and construction sectors to donate over £200,000 worth of vital time and expertise to support our projects. We want each of our corporate supporters to commit at least 10 days of free professional advice in 2014-15, acting as a catalyst social objectives and the resources of businesses to drive change. The overall aim is to get 40 companies to donate 10 days each.

Yesterday we attended the opening of the fantastic new Building Lives Training Academy in Tower Hamlets by the Business Secretary, the Rt Hon Vince Cable MP. Building Lives is an award-winning Community Interest Company (CIC) and registered Social Enterprise that delivers construction apprenticeships for young people in London.