Australian of the Year

Michelle Blakeley brings together community groups, the private sector and government agencies to tackle the challenges of long-term homelessness in Western Australia. 

An architect by profession, Michelle founded My Home to address homelessness in the state. My Home is a philanthropic housing developer delivering projects on unused sites, providing affordable, secure accommodation for people who are experiencing homelessness, particularly single parents and young mothers with newborns as well as older women.  

The My Home model works by identifying prospective sites, typically government or church-owned land, and using a combination of public and private funding to build low-cost housing. The developments use prefabricated materials that can be quickly and easily installed on site. Local community groups also support the residents when they move in, so they feel at home straight away. 

Michelle's championing of My Home has shown how housing inequality can be addressed project by project, bringing hope and dignity to many vulnerable people in need of a secure place to live.