Fair Trading Minister, Virginia Judge today congratulated Heart for the Homeless for launching its first homeless initiative Moving Cities.

Heart for the Homeless is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2009 to empower industries to be more active in reducing poverty.

Ms Judge said the Moving Cities initiative seeks to reclaim an average 15-20 kilograms of non-perishable food items normally thrown away each time a person moves house.

“The initiative involves partnerships with real estate agents and local charities to generate food, clothing and furniture to help those in need,” she said.

“Registered real estate agents work together with clients who are moving home and wish to donate items. The client’s details are registered with Heart for the Homeless who organise their registered charities to collect the goods.”

Ms Judge said more than 2,200 kilograms of food and 2,350 kilograms of clothing have been donated to the project in its pilot phase.

“This is a wonderful achievement, but more can always be done,” she said.

“I would like to see every real estate agent in NSW taking part in the Moving Cities program.

“Thousands of kilograms of non-perishable food and clothes go to waste every year, but if we could encourage tenants and home owners to donate these items it will make a real difference to those in need.”

Ms Judge congratulated Heart for the Homeless for its hard work.

“Heart for the Homeless was established by a group of innovative young people who are determined to abolish homelessness and poverty in NSW,” she said.

“It is truly inspiring to see community action at the grassroots level and to see so many people determined to help families who are facing financial difficulty.”

For more information go to www.heartforthehomeless.org

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