Each Friday, Robbie Briggs, CEO of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, writes about luxury, trends, business and more in the advertising pages of the Mansion section of The Wall Street Journal. Below is his letter of November 11, 2022.

 

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

You and I know that homes are much more than shelter.

But, think about someone who doesn’t have one. How do they ever evolve past that basic need?

I know of an opportunity. We are helping Sotheby’s International Realty help New Story, the remarkable charity I’ve written about before that builds safe, clean homes for some of the “bottom billion” — the homeless in our world. With local labor and local supplies, New Story has built 38 new communities, including in Haiti, Bolivia, Mexico and El Salvador, impacting more than 14,000 people. These homes, some of them 3D-printed right there on the site, are game-changers for these families, I can tell you.

One urgent need for homes is in Titanyen, Haiti, where Sotheby’s International Realty hopes to fund 60 of them. Each costs about $7,000, so the big goal is $400,000. I’m hoping you’ll help Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty fund just one home. Here’s why:

A home means health: Living without a safe roof and clean floors leads to runoff water flowing through the floors and often leads to the spread of dangerous illnesses to infants and others.

A home means safety. Having a door and windows with locks means that children and parents can sleep at night, knowing they’re safe from what’s outside. New Story’s homes typically replace houses made from scrap metals or found materials that create unstable dwellings.

A home means education. For children growing up in poverty, unsafe home conditions make it difficult to study and get proper sleep to focus in school. Every donation helps provide children with a place to focus and learn, as well as a cozy space to recharge at night. This can mean a much brighter future.

A home can mean income: A safe home gives parents the chance pursue opportunities to earn money and even start businesses — which also inspires the next generation.

If you are inspired and can help us, it’s easy. Just go here. Every penny you give will go to building that home.

You know, our agents and our brokerage have always been focused on helping people who need a home. In my mind, that’s because we’re all lucky to have one.

 

Robbie Briggs

CEO

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

rbriggs@briggsfreeman.com

 

Help us build a home, here.