Charter Hall supports young Australians through Lighthouse Foundation

Charter Hall launched a new charity partnership with Lighthouse Foundation today as part of its Lacrosse Apartment development in Docklands, Melbourne.  Lighthouse Foundation provides homeless young people who come from backgrounds of neglect and abuse with a home and intensive long-term care and support.

Over 50 guests from Charter Hall, Lighthouse Foundation and the project team involved in the development attended the launch event at Etihad Stadium.

During the development of the Lacrosse project, Charter Hall aims to raise $100,000 for Lighthouse Foundation, through workplace giving and fundraising activities with contractors, consultants, purchasers and the community.  A number of onsite and public fund raising activities are planned over the next year with a major lawn bowls fundraising event planned in October 2011 which will involve Charter Hall staff, consultants and contractors from all Charter Hall Melbourne projects.

Charter Hall's Head of Development Services, Chris Chapple, said: 'Lighthouse Foundation plays a critical role in providing much needed long-term assistance to young Australians who would otherwise be homeless. 

'Charter Hall is committed to giving back to the communities in which we operate and we are proud to support the funding and development of a new Lighthouse home in Kensington, Melbourne through the Lacrosse project.  With $20,000 raised to date we are looking forward to holding a number of fundraising activities during the year to reach our $100,000 target,' Mr Chapple said.

Susan Barton, Founder of Lighthouse Foundation commented on the importance of corporate sponsorship for the Foundation saying: 'We are delighted to have the support and commitment of Charter Hall and the Lacrosse development.  This partnership highlights the many ways in which corporate companies can provide financial support to young Australians in need while also raising awareness of this growing issue.'

Charter Hall's Opportunity Fund No.5 (CHOF5) acquired the development rights to Stage 1 of the Lacrosse Apartments in April 2010 from Morry Schwartz's PanUrban.  CHOF5 entered into a Development Agreement with landowners, VicUrban and appointed LU Simon Builders as the main contractor in May 2010. 

On completion, the Lacrosse Apartments, located at 675 LaTrobe Street in the Melbourne Docklands, will comprise 312 apartments and will include 1,300 square metres of retail shops and parking for 150 cars.  Over 97% of the apartments have been sold to date. 

Construction is progressing well with the four storey podium structure expected to be completed next week and the entire project scheduled to be completed by June 2012. 

A non-profit organisation, Lighthouse Foundation is working toward securing recurrent government funding however is currently largely reliant on the generous support of the community.

About the Charter Hall Group
Charter Hall Group is a diversified property group, based in Sydney with offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Warsaw and Chicago. Established in 1991 and listed on the ASX in 2005 as a stapled security under the code CHC, Charter Hall Group combines Charter Hall Limited with Charter Hall Property Trust, which owns and/or manages over $10 billion in real estate assets. The Charter Hall Group has achieved a solid track record across its activities demonstrating a 19 year history of managing wholesale and retail capital, making it one of Australia's leading property fund managers. Charter Hall's success has been underpinned by a highly skilled and motivated management team with diverse expertise across property sectors and risk-return profiles.

About Lighthouse Foundation
Lighthouse Foundation provides homeless young people who come from backgrounds of long term neglect and abuse with a home, a sense of family and around the clock therapeutic care. We heal these young people and enable them to rebuild their lives through addressing the trauma associated with their past experiences as well as reconnecting these kids with the wider community. Lighthouse Founder, Susan Barton AM, a mother of six herself, started caring for vulnerable and traumatised young people in her own home over 30 years ago, and developed the evidence based Lighthouse Therapeutic Family Model of Care. In 1991 with the support of the business community, Lighthouse Foundation was officially formed to support and expand this work.