Family-owned property and construction business Crema Group from Port Melbourne, has donated $20,000 worth of concrete towards PIF House Clayton, a new house being purpose-built in Melbourne’s south-east for at-risk and homeless youth.

Through its subsidiary Piave, Crema Group was responsible for the supply and delivery of the 80 cubic metres of concrete that was used to lay the foundation of PIF House Clayton. The company worked together with Anglo Italian Concrete, who donated time and labour to complete the slab pour in late 2020.

PIF House Clayton is a three-way partnership between Frasers Property Australia, the Property Industry Foundation (PIF) and the Lighthouse Foundation. The initiative is made possible by the contribution of valued companies across the property industry who have donated their time, materials, skills and expertise to the project pro-bono, including Crema Group.

Crema has previously been involved with the Property Industry Foundation through their range of charity initiatives, including the “Tour de PIF Melbourne” annual charity cycling challenge and various Gala fundraising events.

“Homelessness is an issue that we hold very close to our hearts,” said Luch Crema, Director of Crema Group.

“Considering just how wealthy of a country we are, Australia’s homelessness rates are far too high – the statistics just blow you away. Anything that we can do to help get these young individuals off the streets and into a home is such a positive thing,” Crema said.

Crema said that t was fantastic to see companies across the property industry come together to contribute to this important cause.

“If everyone can do just a little bit, we can make such a huge difference to the lives of these homeless and disadvantaged youth,” he said.

PIF House Clayton is part of the PIF House Program, which launched in 2017 with the aim to build 125 bedrooms for at-risk and homeless youth in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

“Since the first house was built, hundreds of young people have slept in those rooms and been given a chance to rebuild their lives,” said Kate Mills, CEO of the Property Industry Foundation. “Building homes for homeless youth does make a difference.”

Frasers Property Australia is sponsoring and building the PIF House Clayton, which will eventually house up to four disadvantaged youth and two live-in carers, cared for by the Lighthouse Foundation.

Luch Crema commented that the process of donating materials towards the project was seamless.

“Frasers Property Australia and PIF have run a tight ship with the organisation and logistics of PIF House Clayton. The whole thing was organised in a very professional and seamless manner,” he said.

The build of PIF House Clayton is progressing on schedule, with framing, roof works and bricklaying all recently complete. The six-bedroom home will be ready to warmly welcome new residents by the end of July 2021.

In addition to their work with the Property Industry Foundation, Crema Group regularly participates in various other charitable initiatives, including the Chain Reaction Cycling Challenge and the Vinnies CEO sleepout, another cause dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness in Australia.