Property firm courts controversy by backing Shelter

The UK arm of global property consultancy CBRE has courted controversy by unveiling a two year partnership with Shelter, committing £250,000 to the charity.

For some time, several agents have opposed Shelter's increasingly outspoken campaigning against many agency practices and the charity's broader critique about housing - arguably moving away from its original concerns about homelessness issues.

Two years ago a director of London estate agency Douglas & Gordon wrote a blog on the firm's website saying that agents are pissed off by the charity and that until Shelter stops impugning the reputation of the vast majority of agents because some rogues get away with bad practice then I'm afraid Douglas & Gordon will suspend financial support, as have many others.

CBRE is of a different opinion and says that in addition to the £250,000 donation over the next two years, its UK Property Industry Charity Bike Ride taking place in July will raise an additional £250,000 for the charity.

We are very excited to launch our new partnership with Shelter. This gives us a chance to make a difference to over 1,300 families around the UK who will benefit from Shelter's advice and support, building on our successful corporate responsibility programme says Ciaran Bird, UK managing director of CBRE.

CBRE staff across the UK are believed to have voted for Shelter from a shortlist of three last month. Shelter received over 70 per cent backing.

Every penny raised will help us to support, even more, families facing bad housing and homelessness, and make sure that nobody has to fight this on their own says Shelter chief executive Campbell Robb.