This winter, I experienced the hospitality of Jarrod McKenna, Teresa Lee and their son Tyson. They’re a family of peace activists, who ruggedly live out communal economics and radical permaculture in Peace Tree Community in Perth. They opened their home to me so that I could take a week out to write in peace.
You may remember the TV footage of Jarrod in 2005. He was on national news, wearing a “Jesus was a refugee” T-shirt and being struck across the head by a police officer, simply because he was protesting for refugee rights. Jarrod used to visit the refugees and play soccer with them, until he was banned from the detention centre.
You may also have seen the buzz on the web about Jarrod kicking off a new and bold initiative to provide a home for refugees in a Perth suburb. When I was in Perth, they had just found a property, which they want to buy and live in together with new refugee families.
Jarrod, Teresa and Tyson have come up with the First Home Project to help provide affordable medium-term accommodation and an inclusive community for refugees who are struggling in this housing crisis.
The First Home Project website explains: “There is a housing crisis in Perth. Only 2% of rental properties are vacant. The mining boom has seen a huge increase in the number of renters and this extra competition has left parties outbidding each other to lease the few rental properties on the market.
“In this environment, refugees — our newest Australians — struggle to access affordable accommodation, let alone accommodation close to employment opportunities or community services.”
However, the banks have shown they just do not get the First Home Project. When the banks rejected Jarrod, Teresa and Tyson’s home loan application, they thought the First Home Project was over. And then a friend offered to lend $55,000 to help the project become a reality.
That led this young family to have the crazy, bold idea that if the banks would not lend them the money, maybe Australians would? If you’d like to help make this dream a reality, you can “Be the Bank” and lend Jarrod, Teresa and Tyson some money to contribute towards the cost of the property and the renovations.
To be part of the First Home Project and lend money towards the $600,000 Jarrod, Teresa and Tyson need, please email info@firsthomeproject.com.au.
The First Home Project has had an accountant and lawyer draw up loan agreements. An auditor at one of Perth’s big accountancy firms will independently audit the entire loan management process.
[For more details visit firsthomeproject.com.au. You can donate to the First Home Project via PayPal or by direct deposit to Account name: McKenna, BSB: 066 017, account number: 10014953.]